Page 68 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

On the seafront
Dry bulk S&P activity
in 2025 has so far
been primarily focused
on mid-age and vintage
vessels. The 11-15-year-
old age group was
the most active,
with 215 sales accounting
for 46% of total bulk
carrier transactions.
66
same period in 2024. From January vessels sold during the same period in
through the end of July 2025, a total 2024. The MR2 sector holds the leading
of 703 vessels (bulk carriers and tankers, position, with 71 sales. It is followed by
each ≥10,000 DWT) were sold, rep- the Aframax/LR2 sector with 41 sales,
resenting a 15% decline compared to while the VLCC sector ranks third with 31
the 831 vessels that changed ownership transactions. Although all sectors have
during the same period in 2024. experienced a reduction in sales volume
Focusing on the dry bulk sector spe- in 2025 compared to the same period
cifically, 469 vessels (≥10,000 DWT) in 2024, the Suezmax sector is the only
were sold year-to-date, down from 537 segment showing the opposite trend. So
units sold in the corresponding period of far in 2025, a total of 27 Suezmax vessels
2024 – a 13% decrease. The Handysize have changed ownership – nearly double
sector holds the leading position, with the figure for the same period in 2024.
122 vessels sold year-to-date. It is fol- In 2025, tanker S&P activity has been
lowed by the Supramax sector with 108 dominated by vintage tonnage. Ves-
sales (accounting for 23% of the total sels aged 16-20 years led the market
sales), while the Panamax sector ranks with 113 sales, representing 48% of
third with 58 transactions. Although total tanker transactions. Activity in the
the Handysize and Supramax segments, 21-year-and-older segment also rose,
both of which were also the most active with 34 vessels changing hands so far
during the same period in 2024, saw this year, representing a 26% increase
declines of 11% and 16% respectively in compared to the same period in 2024.
2025, the Panamax sector was the only Greek owners ranked among the main
one to record an increase in S&P activity, sellers, offloading 50 vessels. Most were
posting a 26% rise in the number of ves- Aframax/LR2 units (16 sales), averag-
sels sold compared to the same period ing 15 years of age, while the MR2 and
in 2024. The Capesize and Newcastle- VLCC segments recorded 10 and 9 sales,
max sectors saw the largest declines respectively, with average ages of 17 and
in sales volumes, with 34 Capesize ves- 18 years. Chinese buyers led the market
sels and 9 Newcastlemax vessels sold on the purchasing side, snapping up 38
so far in 2025 – down 45% and 68% vessels. Their activity was focused on
respectively compared to the same the Aframax/LR2 sector, with 11 vessels
period in 2024. averaging 18 years of age, closely fol-
Dry bulk S&P activity in 2025 has so lowed by the VLCC sector with 9 vessels
far been primarily focused on mid-age of the same average age.
and vintage vessels. The 11-15-year-old Source: Xclusiv Shipbrokers S&P Report,
age group was the most active, with 18 August 2025
215 sales accounting for 46% of total
bulk carrier transactions, followed by Tankers: OPEC+ ramps up oil
the 16-20-year-old age group, which supply while demand growth
recorded 99 sales. Among the main slows
sellers were Greek owners, who sold ΒIMCO expects a balanced development
98 vessels. The majority were Panamax in the crude tanker market in 2025 and
units (32 sales) with an average age of 2026, while it forecasts that the product
20 years, while the Supramax sector also tanker market will remain weaker than
saw significant activity, with 31 vessels in 2024. The product tanker sector suffers
sold at an average age of 18 years. On under the weight of increasing supply
the buying side, Chinese buyers topped growth and weaker demand growth
the charts, having acquired 80 vessels. due to shorter sailing distances.
Their main focus was the Supramax sec- Due to OPEC+’s recent decision to reverse
tor, with 25 purchases at an average age oil production cuts, the International
of 17 years. The Panamax sector followed Energy Agency (IEA) has significantly
closely with 15 purchases at an average increased its crude oil supply forecast.
age of 19 years. According to the IEA’s forecast, oil
In the tanker market, a total of 234 ves- demand and refinery throughput cannot
sels (≥10,000 DWT) have been sold keep pace with the expansion in supply.
year-to-date, 20% fewer than the 294 “As a result of increased OPEC+ pro-
NX