Welcome to the Spring issue of Dry Bulk. Covering dry bulk news over the last few months and editing the articles you are about to read has shown me that this sector is one full of contrast. The rapidly advancing technology, regulatory environment, and consumer demand juxtapose with sometimes ageing and outdated infrastructure, which, as this issue’s cover story on pg. 19 from VIGAN points out, paints a picture of a “world at multiple speeds”. For material handling and port operators, meeting these new demands is of utmost importance.
By the end of 2024, the average age of the global dry bulk fleet had increased to 14.7 years, bringing with it a number of risks and prompting, for example, RightShip to update its vessel inspection threshold late last year from 14 to 10 years. But at the same time, dry bulk vessels are literally taking onboard new ideas. Innovations like onboard carbon capture and wind-assisted rotor sails are beginning to be adopted, in order to strategically meet the demand on the industry to decarbonise. Taking advantage of these new innovations is helping the dry bulk sector to, as the article on pg. 33 from Manta Marine Technologies puts it: “face uncertainty with efficiency”.
Yet more contrast is to be found in the dry bulk sector’s regulatory and geopolitical environment. On 1 January, FuelEU Maritime came into effect; an EU regulation that sets requirements on emissions from ships trading within the EU or EEA. As the article on pg. 37 from NAVTOR points out, there is mounting pressure on shipping companies to come up with smart solutions to simplify the enormous task of complying with these regulations. The strategy that is perhaps highlighted most throughout this issue is collaboration, the focus of Bureau Veritas’ article on pg. 28. Strong partnerships and engagement between stakeholders, experts, and operators across the globe is vital to achieve the industry’s targets. And yet, the signs coming from the new administration in the US point to a potential heightening of geopolitical tensions, especially with China, but also even with long-term partners and historic allies.
Whatever happens, the actions and policies of the returning President and his government will be felt around the world. In this issue’s regional report on pg. 10, Maria Bertzeletou, Signal Ocean, analyses the impact that US activities will have on the dry bulk sector in the Americas and beyond.
These developments raise broader questions than anyone can fully answer right now. Fortunately, however, there is a topic for which we can provide some answers right now: conveyors. For this issue, we reached out to numerous experts to answer in-depth questions about conveyors – turn to pg. 40 to learn more about how conveyor systems are adapting to new technologies, addressing dust and noise emissions, and approaching sustainability.
Overall, this year is set to be one of the dry bulk sector’s most challenging and uncertain – but with collaboration and efficiency, it could also be one of its most transformative. I hope you enjoy this issue.
