Record in deals of used bulk carriers in 2021

The sale and purchase of second hand bulk carriers in record highs reached record levels in 2021, boosted by the excellent freight market for most of the year.

According to a relevant analysis of the shipping brokerage Intermodal, the number of deals recorded this year can only be compared to that of 2007, while the increase compared to last year reaches 60%.

Interest per quarter

During the first quarter of the year, bulk carriers, supramax type, were the ones that sold the most, followed by handysizes. Many deals for panamaxes and ultramaxes were registered in January, while for kamsarmaxes and handymaxes in February. The largest capesize ships on the market came to the fore in March.

The second quarter, specifically April, starred capesizes, whose sales accounted for 20% of total deals. In the two months of May – June, the interest turned mainly to handysizes and secondarily to supramaxes and panamaxes.

During the third quarter, shipowners first preferred bulk carriers, handysize type, followed by supramaxes. Capes topped the list in August and September.

In the last quarter of the year, handysizes starred in the two months of October – November and supramaxes in December, accounting for 38.9% of total deals. In second place in October, with 20% of total sales, are the capes.

The Greeks

Greek shipowners also included a large number of bulk carriers in their fleets. Specifically, this year they bought 227 used steamers of this type, spending 4 billion dollars, occupying the first place internationally in number and value of deals.

In terms of sales, they provided 106 second hand bulk carriers, for $ 1.29 billion. This is the second best performance in terms of sales and the third best in value, globally.

According to the latest report of the Hellenic Shipowners’ Association, the “Greeks” control 20.04% of the world fleet transporting bulk dry cargo.