Activity in the secondhand dry bulk and tanker markets remained mixed over the past month, with select segments showing resilience despite downward pressure on asset prices. While overall volumes have slowed in the dry bulk sector, tanker sales remain relatively robust in deadweight tonnage terms, reflecting a shift in buyer strategy amid uncertain freight market conditions. The dry bulk carrier market saw modest deal flow, with kamsarmax and panamax vessels accounting for a significant share of transactions. A lack of impetus from the dry bulk freight market leaves the secondhand market without any obvious direction. There’s been a broad softening in secondhand pricing, with Clarksons’ five-year-old bulk carrier index down 12% year-on-year. Year-to-date, approximately 280 bulkers totaling 21m dwt have changed hands for around $4.1bn—down roughly 10% in dwt and 30% in value compared to 2024. Notable dry bulk sales this month include the Cape Friendship (185,879 dwt, 2005 Kawasaki) sold to Chinese interests for $16.1m, with dry docking due in June, while the CL Tiffany, CL Mona, and CL Grace (all 82K/2012–2013) were sold en bloc for $45m to Chinese buyers. Tanker sales activity has remained relatively robust in 2025, with approximately 150 ships totalling 18m dwt and $5.2bn sold—up 25% in dwt terms compared to the same period last year. However, values are trending lower, with Clarksons’ five-year-old tanker index down 11% year-on-year and overall dollar value of deals down around 5%. Recent tanker deals include the M. Star (314K/2008 Kawasaki) acquired by Chinese buyers for $47m, and the Jag Pooja MR2 (48,539 dwt, 2005) changing hands for $12m, a discount compared to December’s Chiba (2007), which sold for $17m. In the container sector, more vessels with short balance charters through 2026 are coming to market. This trend suggests owners are increasingly looking to capitalise on strong market conditions and de-risk positions early, amid elevated charter rates and buyer interest. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest containerline, has embarked on its most aggressive acquisition campaign of the year, snapping up more than 10 panamax and post-panamax vessels in May alone, according to sales registers and shipbrokers. The buying spree includes a mix of chartered vessels MSC is now taking ownership of, and strategic secondhand purchases amid a cooling charter market. Among the most high-profile deals, MB Shipbrokers confirmed that MSC has bid $38.5m for the Navios Tempo, a 4,249 teu panamax containership built in 2010 by New Yangzijiang Shipbuilding and sold by Navios Maritime Partners. TagsSplash Extra May 2025