INTERCARGO, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, publishes -on a yearly basis- the Benchmarking Bulk Carriers report.

The Benchmarking Bulk Carriers 2022-2023 report evaluates the bulk carrier industry through various performance indicators. The report provides information on detention rates and deficiencies per inspection (DPI) across Flag States, Class, insurers, and Port State Control, in addition to owners’ benchmarking and a review of the negative performance indicators currently affecting the sector.

More info on the Benchmarking Bulk Carriers reports that have been published by INTERCARGO, can be found here.

Foreword / Executive Summary of the Report

It is now fast approaching 18 months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine left the world in a precarious situation with regard to grain and fertiliser shipments from key Black Sea ports.

In recognition of the critical importance of global food security, and its significant dependence on the supply of grain and other foodstuffs produced in the region the Joint Coordination Centre for the Black Sea Grain Initiative was established with its mission to allow ships to safely export grain, other foodstuffs, fertilizers, including ammonia, from Ukraine via a maritime humanitarian corridor.

This initiative supported by Ukraine, Turkey and Russia under the auspices of the United Nations has continued to allow the flow of these commodities at least until May 2023 when it is hoped the initiative will be renewed with the consent of all parties. INTERCARGO continues to make representation to the regulatory authorities concerning the uncertainty of safe navigation in the Black Sea region and the importance of keeping supply lines open for humanitarian reasons above any commercial matters.

We started 2023 by introducing a new membership fee structure which aims to increase the membership in terms of both numbers of ships registered but also bringing about an increase in registered deadweight tonnes. These increases will give INTERCARGO additional strength and a louder voice at the various international fora attended by the secretariat at which we represent the membership. This not insignificant change has, so far, been seamless and we are looking forward to working with our expanded membership during 2023 and for many years to come.

Whilst INTERCARGO fully supports the drive and the ambition to achieve zero emission shipping by 2050, it urges governments to adopt the necessary measures to accelerate R&D of zero-carbon technologies and expedite their deployment. The net-zero target will only be plausible if governments take the necessary action to achieve this at IMO and thus INTERCARGO supported the industry proposal for the establishment of an International Maritime Research and Development Board and an IMO Maritime Research Fund. This will need to be accompanied by a global levy based Market Based Measure to assist low and zero carbon fuels to become a competitive option for shipping, while the necessary policies on land to scale up green fuels production are essential.

The Association has been actively participating in the IMO deliberations and correspondence groups, expressing the views of its members on the measures being developed by IMO and the challenges associated with these measures, including both short term measures (EEXI,CII) and lifecycle GHG/carbon intensity guidelines for marine fuels.

The INTERCARGO badge of quality is widely recognised within the industry and as shown throughout this 14th edition of the benchmarking report, the efforts of our members in helping us to achieve our ambitious aims and objectives is to be commended. The present benchmarking report continues to evaluate the bulk carrier industry through numerous performance indicators.