According to Shipping Industry Network news, data from shipbroker Xclusiv shows a downward trend in second-hand transactions for dry bulk carriers and tankers in 2025.
Xclusiv stated in its latest weekly report, “So far this year, the sale and purchase transactions for bulk carriers and tankers have slowed down compared to the same period in 2024. From January to the end of July 2025, a total of 703 vessels (bulk carriers and tankers, >10,000 DWT) were sold, a 15% decrease compared to the 831 vessels in the same period of 2024.”
“For bulk carriers alone, 469 vessels (>10,000 DWT) have been transacted so far, a 13% decrease from the 537 vessels in the same period of 2024. Handysize vessels led the way with 122 sold year-to-date. They were followed by Supramax vessels, with 108 transactions (accounting for approximately 23% of the total), while Panamax vessels ranked third with 58 transactions. Although Handysize and Supramax were also the most active in the same period of 2024, their transactions decreased by 11% and 16% year-on-year respectively in 2025. However, Panamax was the only segment to see growth in transactions, with a 26% year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2024.”
Xclusiv pointed out, “Capesize and Newcastlemax bulk carriers saw the largest declines in second-hand transactions. So far in 2025, 34 Capesize and 9 Newcastlemax bulk carriers have been sold, representing decreases of 45% and 68% respectively compared to the same period in 2024.”
Xclusiv emphasized, “So far in 2025, second-hand dry bulk transactions have been mainly concentrated on vessels over 10 years old. Transactions were most active for vessels aged 11-15 years, totaling 215 ships (accounting for 46% of total second-hand bulk carrier transactions), followed by those aged 16-20 years, with 99 transactions in total. The main sellers were Greek shipowners, who sold a total of 98 vessels, including 32 Panamax vessels with an average age of 20 years; there were also a significant number of Supramax transactions, with an average age of 18 years. In terms of buyers, Chinese shipowners were the most active, purchasing a total of 80 vessels. They focused more on Supramax vessels, acquiring 25 with an average age of 17 years. This was followed by Panamax vessels, with 15 transactions and an average age of 19 years.”
Meanwhile, “Regarding the tanker market, a total of 234 vessels (>10,000 DWT) were transacted, a 20% decrease compared to the 294 vessels in the same period of 2024. MR tankers led with 71 transactions. They were followed by /LR2 tankers with 41 transactions. VLCCs ranked third with 31 transactions. Although second-hand transactions for most segments declined in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, the Suezmax tanker segment was the only one showing the opposite trend. So far in 2025, a total of 27 Suezmax tankers have changed ownership, nearly double the number from the same period in 2024.”
Xclusiv concluded, “In 2025, second-hand tanker transactions were mainly focused on older vessels. Transactions for vessels aged 16-20 years reached 113, accounting for 48% of total tanker transactions. Transactions for tankers aged 21 years and above also increased, with 34 vessels changing hands year-to-date, a 26% increase from the same period in 2024. Greek shipowners remained the main sellers, selling a total of 50 vessels. Most of these were /LR2 tankers (16 vessels) with an average age of 15 years; while transactions for MR tankers and VLCCs were 10 and 9 vessels respectively, with average ages of 17 and 18 years. Chinese buyers still lead in purchasing tankers, snapping up a total of 38 vessels, including 11 /LR2 tankers with an average age of 18 years; followed by VLCCs, with a total of 9 transactions.”
