The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) represents the interests of shipowners, operators, and managers involved in dry bulk shipping – the transport of unpackaged bulk commodities such as grains, coal, iron ore, fertilizers, bauxite, and cement.
Founded in 1980, INTERCARGO promotes safe, efficient, environmentally sound, and socially responsible bulk shipping. While less visible than tankers or containers, dry bulk accounts for nearly half of all seaborne trade – making INTERCARGO a vital voice in the maritime world.
Headquartered in London, INTERCARGO plays a key role in technical standard-setting, operational benchmarking, and international regulation, especially through its active participation at the IMO.
INTERCARGO supports its members by focusing on:
1. Policy and Technical Advocacy:
2. Operational Safety and Best Practices:
3. Benchmarking and Transparency:
4. Environmental Leadership:
Dry bulk ships – from handysize to capesize – carry the raw materials that fuel construction, energy, agriculture, and manufacturing across the globe.
Their trade routes are flexible, often serving developing countries, remote ports, and emerging economies. But their cargoes can be unpredictable and risky (e.g. liquefaction of nickel ore), and many bulk carriers are older or smaller than tankers and container ships – increasing operational complexity.
INTERCARGO helps keep this essential fleet safe, compliant, and efficient.
INTERCARGO includes full members (shipowners/operators) and associate members (class societies, insurers, consultants). It is known for its open, collaborative working culture, and publishes regular:
• Annual Benchmarking Reports
• Feedback on IMO conventions
• Technical bulletins and alerts
It often works alongside ICS, BIMCO, INTERTANKO, and classification societies to create coherent, cross-sector standards – particularly where safety, emissions, or digitalisation intersect.
INTERCARGO’s focus areas today include:
• Fair and achievable decarbonisation pathways for bulk fleets
• Improved safety procedures for cargo handling and vessel stability
• Crew welfare and training, especially in older ships with smaller teams
• Greater transparency in inspections, port state control, and environmental compliance
• Digitalisation to improve voyage efficiency and cargo visibility
Its calm, technical voice is respected at the IMO – especially when it comes to realistic implementation timelines and risk-based regulations.
Dry bulk ships move the building blocks of global society – often to and from regions that rely deeply on maritime trade for development.
INTERCARGO ensures that this silent, indispensable sector is not forgotten in global policy, and that its ships – many run by smaller companies – are not overwhelmed by one-size-fits-all mandates.
It’s a steady hand on the rudder of world trade – humble, essential, and deeply needed.
How can INTERCARGO ensure that smaller bulk carriers and operators are not left behind in the push for digitalisation and green shipping transformation?
