Costas Delaportas, president and CEO of Greece’s DryDel Shipping, has managed to find the time to rub shoulders with more than 100 of his shipowning peers when he attends April’s second edition of Geneva Dry, the world’s premier commodities shipping conference. DryDel was among one of the busiest dry bulk owners in 2024, entering the cape sector, adding to its ultramax fleet and taking its full fleet – including ships on charter – to the 30 mark for the first time. The Greek owner also opened its fourth and fifth global offices in recent months in Sao Paolo and Houston. Going into 2025, Delaportas says he is cautiously optimistic on dry bulk prospects with limited newbuild deliveries scheduled for this year, and the potential for significant scrapping of what is an ageing global dry bulk fleet. Macroeconomic factors, though, could introduce what he describes as “destabilising influences” into the market. “Dry bulk markets could face pressure, if geopolitical risks or economic slowdowns continue,” Delaportas tells Splash. However, he argues that shipping always adapts quickly. “Even if tariffs are imposed,” Delaportas says, “the cargo will be imported from somewhere else, creating new shipping patterns. With shifting trade routes and China committing stimuli of trillions to infrastructure and industrial output, the market holds the potential to be strong.” Last month saw DryDel move into the capesize sector through a newbuilding deal in Japan, the company contracting Namura Shipbuilding for two scrubber-fitted, 182,000 dwt vessels due for delivery in 2028. DryDel contracted its first ultramax newbuild since changing its name from Meadway Shipping and Trading at Shin Kurushima Dockyard in June last year, followed by another ultramax order at Tsuneishi Shipbuilding in July. Delaportas will be a panellist during the agri-commodities session at Geneva Dry in the early afternoon of April 29, alongside speakers who include Edward Buttery, the CEO of Taylor Maritime and Ghigo Ravano, the executive chairman of IFCHOR GALBRAITHS. Geneva Dry made its debut in May last year with around 600 delegates and organisers forced to issue a ‘Sold Out’ sign prior to the event. Working with the same hotel for the next edition, a new lay-out for the dry bulk showcase will allow for more delegates to attend this year. Interested parties are urged to book early to ensure a pass as well as the discounted hotel rooms reserved across six hotels for attendees. As well as familiar sessions such as iron ore, coal, minor bulks and dry decarbonisation, Geneva Dry 2025 features some new panels including 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 while the whole event kicks off on April 28 with two workshops – Crewing In The Digital Age as well as the Risk Management In Dry Bulk. Companies attending include 2020 Bulkers, Anglo American, Ariston Navigation, BPG Shipping Company, Cargill, Cetus Maritime, CMA CGM, Cobelfret, CTM, d’Amico Dry, Devbulk, Drydel Shipping, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, Enesel, Eramet, Fednav, Fortescue, G2 Ocean, Heidelberg Materials Trading, Himalaya Shipping, Mandarin Shipping, Marfin Management, Montfort Trading, Norbulk Shipping