Dear Members of INTERCARGO,
With our best wishes for the New Year, I am pleased to share the following message for 2026 from our Association’s Chairman:
As we embark on 2026, I send my heartfelt wishes for a year of success, wellbeing and safe journeys for you, your families, and the dedicated seafarers and shore teams who keep our industry moving. May the months ahead bring opportunity, collaboration and smooth seas for all.
Reflecting on 2025, it was a year of progress amid global uncertainty. INTERCARGO remained steadfast in its mission to support our members and champion quality dry bulk shipping worldwide. Our membership reached a historic high of over 410 companies, representing more than 4,500 ships and over 420 million DWT from more than 35 countries, a clear sign of the confidence and hopes placed in our Association. The celebration of our 45th anniversary in November in Athens was a proud milestone, reminding us of our heritage and the strength of our global community.
Throughout the year, we advanced critical initiatives. At the regulatory level, INTERCARGO continued to advocate for pragmatic, globally consistent decarbonisation strategies, ensuring that any transition remains safe, technologically sound and economically viable. Our semi-annual meetings in Guangzhou and Athens achieved record attendance, fostering open dialogue on technical, operational and environmental challenges and priorities.
Through to 2026, we will be launching our long-awaited Bulk Carrier Ship-to-Ship Operations publication promoting its adoption by all industry players, and DryBMS governed by the Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence will be entering a new phase with fresh leadership.
Digital transformation will be another highlight in 2026. The redesign of our website is nearing completion, featuring a decarbonisation portal, training resources, global port data and AI features, enhancing the services and tools available to our members.
The newly endorsed Newbuilding Specification Working Group will begin its work, providing valuable insights for an evolving fleet renewal landscape.
Our Singapore meetings in May will deepen engagement across Asia, while we continue expanding representation and collaborations in regions where INTERCARGO has historically been underrepresented. Above all, we will remain a strong voice for our members, championing operational excellence, sustainability and genuine collaboration between all maritime stakeholders in an increasingly complex global environment.
Your continued support, experience sharing and commitment to our committees and working groups are the driving forces behind INTERCARGO’s success. Together, we will continue building on the robust foundations we have established and approach the future with optimism and strength.
Kind regards
John Xylas
Chairman
