From the last Annual General Assembly in London, in October 2024, Intercargo has increased the total number of its members by almost 50%.
As Mr. Dimitris Monioudis, Chairman of the Association’s Technical Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, points out in an interview with “N”, these members now represent approximately 4,400 dry bulk carrier vessels, corresponding to 40% of the global fleet.
Ahead of the Intercargo General Assembly in Athens, in early November, Mr. Monioudis emphasizes that the agenda will include all new regulatory measures coming from 6 and onwards, recalling in any case that the Association’s firm position is the support of the need for realistic and globally accepted legal and operational frameworks under the guidance of the International Maritime Organization – IMO.
From our discussion, the major chapter of seafarers could not be missing, as they are always among the Union’s top priorities.
“Seafarers should under no circumstances be a target and must be protected by all necessary means by the international community,” Mr. Monioudis characteristically notes.
“Since the last Annual General Assembly in London in October 2024, Intercargo’s strength has increased by almost 50% in terms of the total number of members, which, on its 45th anniversary since its foundation, now exceeds 370 companies and organizations.
These members represent approximately 4,400 dry bulk carrier vessels, that is, 40% of the global fleet of oceangoing vessels (based on deadweight tonnage), and in particular 55% of the larger segment of the capesize and above vessel fleet.
It is also worth noting that approximately 50% of the /managers manage fleets with fewer than 10 dry bulk carriers.”
“The new Executive Committee, elected in late 2024, committed to continue and upgrade the valuable work of the previous Committee, which had already achieved an increase of approximately 50% in the represented fleet compared to 2020.
Intercargo is a unique Organization among shipping associations, where a small but highly effective Secretariat can actively utilize, on an almost daily basis, the contribution and technical knowledge of its individual members.
The Association is active on multiple fronts – both at the regulatory level (IMO, EU, IACS) and on the day-to-day operational issues faced by its members (e.g., Port State Control inspections, vetting, safety, etc.).
Intercargo had the honor of welcoming into its fold during 2025 some of the most reliable and established companies from around the world, from countries such as Canada, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Hong Kong, Monaco, China, Singapore, Australia, Portugal and, of course, Greece.
Concurrently, our targeted effort to further strengthen cooperation with the international shipping cluster proved extremely successful, with a 60% increase in associate members, who offer valuable expertise in new technologies (e.g., drones, energy saving devices, digitalization, carbon capture), as well as in support services (e.g.,
legal, insurance, crew training, ship inspections and accounting services).
We are also particularly proud to have expanded our collaboration with the academic community (e.g., the International Association of Maritime Universities – IAMU), with ESG organizations (such as NAMEPA and WISTA) and with other bodies that support the decarbonization of the shipping sector (e.g., International Windship Association, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation and The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping).
Furthermore, we have heeded the members’ requirements for a consistent, open and dynamic presence at international fora and events that enhance the image and sustainability of the dry bulk sector (such as ARCSOPT and Pilbara Ports Safe Ships Safe Ports Forum in Australia, Geneva Dry, Maritime Cyprus, CMA in the USA, NorShipping, etc.).
We are also particularly proud that among the ranks of Intercargo are some of the largest and highest quality companies in the global dry bulk sector (such as NYK, MOL, COSCO, Oldendorff, Pacific Basin, Fleet Management, Maran and Starbulk), which support the need for a clean and strong voice for the industry, highlighting the value as well as the challenges successfully faced by shipping companies managing bulk carriers.
At the same time, many of the members with smaller fleets consider the Association an extension of their corporate structure, thanks to the breadth and depth of information and exchange of experience it offers on a multitude
of topics”.
“We expect approximately 200 participants to attend the Technical and Executive Committee meetings in Athens, on November 3 and 4.
The agenda is particularly rich and includes topics such as upcoming 2026 regulatory developments (e.g., new IACS regulations for newbuildings, lifting appliances, biofouling, ballast water management), crew welfare and training (digitalization, mental health, unfair /detentions), safety (e.g., dangerous stevedore practices ashore), new technologies (coatings, carbon capture, wind energy utilization, voyage optimization), vetting and standardization of /terminal requirements.
In general, key pillars for Intercargo remain the strong representation of the bulk carrier sector, the promotion of the industry’s value and achievements (which carries over 50% of global seaborne trade and has reduced greenhouse gas emissions per ton-mile by approximately 40% compared to 2008), as well as supporting the need for realistic and globally accepted legal and operational frameworks under the guidance of the International Maritime Organization IMO”.
“Safety has always been at the core of Intercargo’s concerns.
It was founded in 1980 and during its 45-year history it has repeatedly faced security challenges for the dry bulk sector.
In the 1980s we were confronted with the Iran-Iraq conflict and its effects on the trade of the Persian Gulf, while after September 11th the development of the ISPS Code followed.
The threats of piracy in Somalia and the Gulf of Guinea have been apparent over the last 20 years, while this decade is characterized by visible threats in the Black and Red Sea, as well as invisible threats in the field of cybersecurity.
Intercargo steadfastly maintains the position that commercial ships, manned by innocent seafarers and transporting vital goods, legally in international waters, should under no circumstances be a target and that they must be protected by all necessary means by the international community.
The hostage-taking of crew members must be unequivocally condemned at all times, as it affects the crews, their families, their employers, but also the effort to attract the next generation of essential seafarers that will be needed on ships, regardless of technological developments”.
