Greek dry bulk orderbook surges 14% as owners stick to conventional fuels

Greek shipowners are aggressively expanding their dry bulk fleets, with the global orderbook for the segment rising 14% year-on-year to 176 vessels.

The surge in newbuilding activity underscores a strategic bet on conventional fuel technologies, even as the broader maritime industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize.

The acceleration in orders follows a dramatic uptick earlier in the year, with Greek owners placing contracts for 69 dry bulk vessels in the first half of 2026 alone.

This represents a fivefold increase compared to the 12 vessels ordered during the same period in the previous year, according to Handelsavisen archive data.

The pace of investment suggests that Greek capital remains heavily committed to the dry bulk sector, viewing current freight rate environments and vessel replacement cycles as favorable for traditional tonnage.

While the containership segment also sees significant Greek investment driven by major liner operators, the dry bulk focus highlights a divergence in fleet strategy.