Activity boom pushes Oldendorff fleet to new record

The world's biggest dry bulk carrier, German Oldendorff, confirms the noticeably increasing activity in dry bulk. The shipping company is busy, with a fleet that has reached an all-time high.
BY TOMAS KRISTIANSEN

If developments at the world's largest dry bulk carrier serve as any indication as to how the general economy is faring, especially the shipping markets, then things are once again moving in the right direction.

German Oldendorff feels the noticeable increase in activity on the dry bulk market, the carrier's spokesman Peter Bagh tells ShippingWatch. That his working days are becoming more and more busy is apparent from the many new orders received from the customers, as well as by the number of ships in the company's fleet, which has now grown to an all-time high of 532 vessels, compared to the usual 450 ships in the fleet.

Do you want to stay up to date on the latest developments in International shipping? Subscribe to our newsletter – the first 40 days are free

"We can confirm a positive trend in the market. We're receiving significantly more inquiries from our customers. The increasing activity has allowed us to take on more tonnage, both on time-charter and through the newbuildings we've taken delivery of recently," says Peter Bagh.

38 ships in the pipeline

Oldendorff's traditional bulk segment has been Panamax/Handysize, with 220 ships. The carrier has a history in Panamax dating all the way back to the 60's, a segment where the company usually operates around 120 ships. Meanwhile Oldendorff is also a carrier where most ships are employed on time-charter.

In 2011 the total fleet counted 400 ships, 370 of which were on time-charter. According to the shipping company's website the number of ships was registered at 450 earlier this year (400 on time-charter).

However, today 160 of the total 532 ships are Supramax. 52 ships fall within the segment of unloaders/reloaders and specialized equipment.

The shipping company has 38 ships in the pipeline.

The entire Oldendorff fleet corresponds 41 million dwt.

Do you want to stay up to date on the latest developments in International shipping? Subscribe to our newsletter – the first 40 days are free

Cargill: Dry bulk set to leave dark years behind

Oldendorff: Surge in newbuildings derail bulk rebound 

Oldendorff outperforms Rio Tinto and Cargill on bookings 

Share article

Sign up for our newsletter

Stay ahead of development by receiving our newsletter on the latest sector knowledge.

Newsletter terms

Front page now

Further reading