SHIPPING
Bulk shipping embraces fuel transition and efficiency gains
Carriers modernize fleets as floating economy markets shift with global demand.
Leopold retrofit. Photo by Oldendorff.
Vessel operators are under pressure to adapt. With trade lanes shifting and emission rules tightening, bulk shipping companies are testing new fuels, wind-assist, and fleet retrofits. In 2025, the world’s largest carriers are showing how modernization looks in practice.
Oldendorff invests in fuel R&D. In June 2025, Oldendorff launched a research center in Scotland to compare alternative e-fuels for bulk shipping. The move reflects the company’s long-term decarbonization strategy.
Oldendorff maintains fleet with upgrades. Oldendorff scheduled more than 60 vessels for dry docking and retrofits in 2024–2025. The program includes upgrades tied to environmental compliance and operational efficiency.
Star Bulk posts 2024 results. In February 2025, Star Bulk published its Q4 2024 financial report. The results highlight cost discipline, dry docking schedules, and efficiency measures across its large bulker fleet.
Diana Shipping adds methanol dual-fuel bulkers. Diana Shipping confirmed two newbuild Kamsarmax bulk carriers with methanol dual-fuel capability, scheduled for delivery in 2027–2028. The deal signals momentum toward cleaner bulker designs.
That’s not all: analysts expect dry bulk to balance volatile trade flows with rapid technology shifts. Methanol-ready designs, fuel R&D, and fleet retrofits show how carriers are adapting to stricter emission rules.
—TFE
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