Post by INTERCARGO

At the International Ship Management Forum organised by Beyond Shipping 航运界网, INTERCARGO Technical Committee Chairman Dimitris Monioudis outlined the evolving operational reality of dry bulk shipping. Dry bulk remains central to global trade, accounting for around 50% of seaborne trade and moving more than 5.7 billion tonnes of cargo in 2025, supported by a fleet of approximately 14,000 vessels worldwide. His presentation highlighted how shifting trade patterns, changing cargo flows and infrastructure constraints are increasing operational complexity across the sector. As a result, ship-to-ship (STS) transfers are being increasingly used to support dry cargo movements where port infrastructure cannot accommodate operations. These operations involve multiple stakeholders — including masters, crew, shipowners, operators, charterers, shippers and service providers — often working in less controlled environments where coordination, communication, weather and visibility play a critical role. However, practices remain highly variable, with no widely adopted, sector-specific framework for dry bulk STS operations. As STS activity increases, greater consistency is essential to reduce risk by supporting safety, efficiency and alignment across all parties involved. In this context, INTERCARGO has developed ship-to-ship transfer guidance for dry bulk operations, providing a practical reference for the industry. You can order online our recent guide from here: https://lnkd.in/e_yxiff8 #INTERCARGO #DryBulk #Shipping #STS #MaritimeSafety #ShipManagement