The dry bulk fleet is rapidly ageing and new orders will be vital next year, even if yards are overflowing with contracts for other types of ships. That’s the view of Willem Vermaat, shipping director at cement giant Heidelberg Materials Trading, who will be joining the minor bulks session at next April’s Geneva Dry, the world’s premier commodities shipping conference.
“The dry bulk average age is higher than ever, so a fleet renewal is very important. Demolition alone is not enough to lower the average rate, so newbuildings are required,” Vermaat says, predicting that the appetite for container vessels will cool down and then slots will become available to order bulkers.
“We expect early 2025 will present good opportunities for delivery 2027 onwards,” Vermaat predicts.
However, the shipping expert cautions that a slowing China and the arrival of Donald Trump at the White House is making Heidelberg “bearish” on dry bulk prospects going into 2025.
“We do expect a strain on the dry bulk market if Trump goes all in on the trade tariffs,” Vermaat warns.
Like this year’s edition, many of the world’s top shipping tech firms are scheduled to attend next April’s Geneva Dry. While there has been significant consolidation within maritime tech over the past 18 months, Vermaat is anticipating much more. He also tells Splash what he’d like to see developed from a tech point of view.
“We will see a lot more consolidation. There are a number of companies providing same or similar products. They will consolidate to maintain market share,” he says, adding: “What we believe is still missing, despite many attempts, is a freight predictor which has a high degree of accuracy. With the amounts of data available and the fast-developing machine learning capabilities, this will be the holy grail to discover.”
Among confirmed speakers joining Vermaat on stage on April 29 next year for the minor bulks session are Olivia Lennox-King, the chief operating officer at Hong Kong owner Cetus Maritime, and Vincenzo Romeo, the CEO of Nova Marine Carriers.
As well as familiar sessions such as iron ore, coal, agri-commodities, minor bulks and dry decarbonisation, Geneva Dry 2025 features some new panels based on feedback from attendees to this year’s show. New sessions include a 50-minute special of forward freight agreements, a chartering spotlight, while digital efficiency drivers at port and then at sea will form the first two sessions on Day Two. Another highlight based on how much discussion there was on the topic at this year’s event will be a high-level discussion on electric vehicles and how they are supercharging dry bulk.
Confirmed new speakers include Eman Abdalla, global operations and supply chain director at Cargill Ocean Transportation, Benjamin Wilkes, chief operating officer at d’Amico Dry and John Xylas, the CEO of Ariston Navigation and incoming chairman of INTERCARGO.
Companies attending include 2020 Bulkers, Anglo American, Ariston Navigation, BPG Shipping Company, Cargill, Cetus Maritime, Cobelfret, CTM, d’Amico Dry, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, Enesel, Eramet, Fednav, Fortescue, G2 Ocean, Heidelberg Materials Trading, Himalaya Shipping, Mandarin Shipping, Marfin Management, Metbulk Shipping, Norbulk Shipping, Nova Marine Carriers, Orion Reederei, Precious Shipping, Seanergy Maritime Holdings, Star Bulk, SwissMarine, Taylor Maritime Investments, Trafigura, United Maritime Corporation, Vale, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings, and Western Bulk.
The full Geneva Dry agenda can be accessed here.
Geneva Dry registration, at just $780, can be accessed here.
Special Geneva Dry hotel room rates can be found here.
Geneva Dry registration, at just $780, can be accessed here.
Special Geneva Dry hotel room rates can be found here.
