Dry Cargo Fleet Overview - September 2026

The dry bulk fleet grew by 2.7 per cent in 2026, with an orderbook of 1,426 vessels representing 11.5 per cent of the total fleet. The Newcastlemax sector exhibited particularly strong growth, aided by a significant order backlog, while the Capesize market continues to face challenges due to oversupply and high newbuilding costs. Demolition activity remained low, with only a handful of vessels scrapped across various segments, indicating that owners are holding onto older vessels in a favorable freight rate environment. Despite the steady growth in fleet size, long-term industry pressures, including the aging fleet with over 3,727 units older than 20 years, remain a concern.