INTERCARGO - Experts & Thought Leaders

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) held its Annual General Meeting and Semi-annual meetings at the Four Seasons Astir Palace in Athens on 3–4 November 2025, marking continued growth and important milestones in representing the dry bulk shipping sector. The events coincided with the Association’s 45th Anniversary Gala Dinner, attended by senior figures from the Greek and international maritime community. The meetings brought together members and guests from around the world for two days filled with discussions on the Association’s initiatives for safer, quality-driven, and sustainable dry bulk shipping, in collaboration with stakeholders worldwide. Bulk carrier safety and security The agenda covered a broad range of issues, including bulk carrier safety and security, operational excellence, seafarers’ welfare, DryBMS, digital initiatives, environmental challenges such as decarbonisation, as well as other dry bulk–specific technical topics. Expert presentations were delivered by members, contributing valuable insight and perspective to the discussions. The Association’s leadership remains unchanged, with John Xylas continuing as Chairman, Metaxia Psalti and Capt. Uttam Kumar Jaiswal serving as Vice-Chairpersons, Kostas Gkonis as Secretary General, Dimitris Monioudis as Technical Committee Chair, and Cesare D’Api as Technical Committee Vice Chair. Together, they ensure stability and continuity as INTERCARGO advances its long-term strategic priorities. In his address to members, Mr. Xylas reflected on a year of meaningful progress and engagement, noting INTERCARGO’s strengthened presence at international fora as the trusted global voice of quality dry bulk shipping. Unity and shared purpose A short video celebrating INTERCARGO’s 45-year journey was also presented as a tribute to the people and values that shaped the Association. “From a small group of shipowners in 1980, INTERCARGO has grown into a truly global association representing more than 350 members from over 35 countries, including more than 180 Full Members managing more than 4,400 bulk carriers totalling nearly 420 million DWT — approximately 40% of the world’s dry bulk carrier fleet.” “Our unity and shared purpose remain our greatest strengths as we look ahead to the next decade of transition for our sector, which will be defined by collaboration, innovation, and leadership,” Mr. Xylas said. As INTERCARGO looks toward 2026, its focus remains on ensuring that the dry bulk sector continues to operate safely, sustainably, and efficiently, while further strengthening collaboration across its expanding global membership.

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) is marking its 45th anniversary in 2025 with record membership, expanded global reach, and a renewed focus on the industry’s future priorities. The Association now counts more than 350 members from more than 35 countries, comprising more than 180 Full Members, representing more than 4,400 bulk carriers totalling near 420 million DWT. This equates to approximately 40% by DWT of the global dry bulk carrier fleet, highlighting INTERCARGO’s growing influence and representation across the sector. Global reach Since its foundation in 1980, INTERCARGO has steadily expanded its global reach, welcoming shipowners, managers, operators, and service providers across dry bulk shipping. Its membership currently spans every major bulk shipping region and reflects a shared commitment to quality, safety, and environmental performance. As a recognised Non-Governmental Organisation at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and a member of the Round Table of International Shipping Associations, INTERCARGO continues to play an influential role in shaping international regulation and advancing quality standards across the dry bulk sector. Its advocacy work has centred on safety and sustainability, and the recognition of dry bulk shipping’s essential services to the peoples and economies around the world. 45th Annual General Meeting Members will convene in Athens, Greece, on 3-4 November 2025 for INTERCARGO’s 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM), as well as its committees’ semi-annual meetings, where they will review the Association’s progress and agree priorities for the year ahead. John A Xylas, Chairman of INTERCARGO, said: “INTERCARGO’s strong growth and 45-year legacy reflect the trust of our members and the importance of a united voice for dry bulk shipping. INTERCARGO is strongly positioned to continue supporting our members and the wider industry through the challenges ahead.” He added: “As we look to the future, our focus will remain on promoting quality, safety and sustainability, and ensuring that the voice of responsible dry bulk owners is heard where it matters most.”

A two-year Coalition partnership to accelerate decarbonisation efforts in the dry bulk segment has been signed by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO). Dry bulk is the world’s largest shipping segment by tonnage and presents unique decarbonisation challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized owners operating unpredictable tramp trades. This partnership combines GCMD’s technical insights and experience in executing pilots with INTERCARGO’s member reach and IMO engagement to help close critical adoption and operational gaps. Energy efficiency GCMD and INTERCARGO will collaborate to promote the adoption of energy efficiency technologies  GCMD and INTERCARGO will collaborate to promote the adoption of energy efficiency technologies (EETs) amongst dry bulk shipowners and facilitate mutual knowledge exchange on advancements in low- and zero-carbon-fuelled dry bulk vessels. Bulk carriers are critical to global seaborne trade, accounting for 42.7% of the world’s oceangoing fleet by deadweight tonnage (dwt)1. INTERCARGO, recognised as the voice of dry bulk shipping, represents more than one-third of global dry bulk tonnage through its membership. Dry bulk vessels often operate on a ‘tramp’ trade basis with irregular and unpredictable routes, which makes it challenging for these vessels to plan bunkering at ports that offer zero- or near-zero-emission (ZNZ) fuels. Global bunkering infrastructure Global bunkering infrastructure also remains in development, with ZNZ fuels unlikely to be available at all ports in the foreseeable future. Whilst the industry works to scale ZNZ fuel availability and ready ports for their handling and bunkering, there is an urgent need to adopt pragmatic nearer-term solutions, such as drop-in biofuels, onboard carbon capture systems and EETs, to meet the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) decarbonisation targets.  Deploying EETs Shipowners often face challenges in deploying EETs due to fuel savings uncertainty To address this, GCMD is actively conducting pilots and trials to lower barriers for the broad market adoption of these solutions. With INTERCARGO’s operational expertise and member network, the partnership will help advance the deployment of these solutions across the dry bulk segment. Shipowners often face challenges in deploying EETs due to fuel savings uncertainty and some face limited access to financing.  GCMD is installing sensors onboard vessels to validate fuel savings that will underpin Pay-As-You-Save (PAYS), a financing model that GCMD is developing in parallel to link repayments to verified fuel savings. The collaboration aims to accelerate the uptake of EETs in this segment. Valuable opportunity Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, said, "This partnership offers a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of the dry bulk segment’s operational realities and work collaboratively to address gaps in meeting the industry’s decarbonisation targets.” “Through INTERCARGO’s consultative status at IMO, we hope to contribute to the development of global regulatory frameworks for maritime decarbonisation.” Decarbonisation Mr Dimitris Monioudis, Technical Committee Chairman of INTERCARGO said “As the voice of the world’s largest shipping segment, INTERCARGO is committed to making decarbonisation work for all our members.” “This partnership helps ensure practical, scalable technologies reach the companies moving most of the world’s essential cargoes. By combining GCMD’s strength in executing first-of-a-kind pilots with our members’ operational expertise and consultative status at the IMO, we can accelerate progress towards the industry’s decarbonisation targets.”