MONACO, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Safe Bulkers, Inc. (NYSE: SB) (the “Company”), an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced its participation in the Dry Bulk Shipping Panel at the annual DNB Carnegie Energy & Shipping Conference, to be held in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 5, 2026. This top-tier Nordic event connects listed companies with capital markets, offering insights into market trends and industry outlooks as part of a prominent an ...

Costs increased year over year. The CFO said daily vessel operating expenses rose 13% to $5,683, compared with $5,047 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Excluding drydocking and delivery expenses, daily vessel OpEx increased 6% to $5,057 from $4,787.Adamopoulos said Safe Bulkers averaged 45 vessels in operation during the fourth quarter of 2025 and generated an average time charter equivalent (TCE) of $17,050, compared with 45.9 vessels and a TCE of $16,521 in the year-ago quarter.Chief Financial Officer Konsta ...

Strategic Positioning and Operational Context - The performance in Q4 2025 was driven by a slightly improved charter market environment compared to the prior year, resulting in higher charter hires [5] - The company attributes its competitive advantage to a high-quality fleet, with 80% of vessels being Japanese-built, compared to a 40% global average [5] - A deliberate balance between spot market exposure and time charters is maintained to capture upside while ensuring cash flow stability [5] - Operational expenses increased by 13% year-over-year, influenced by costs associated with maintaining an aging global dry bulk fleet and higher inspection requirements [5] - The strategic fleet renewal includes Phase 3 vessels and a remaining order book of 8 Phase II vessels to meet tightening carbon intensity limits and fuel regulations through 2030 [5] - The company has supported 17 consecutive quarters of free cash flow generation despite market fluctuations, highlighting a resilient business model [5] Market Outlook and Guidance Assumptions - Supply growth is expected to match demand in 2026, with both projected to grow between 2% and 3%, supporting a balanced freight market [5] - The company anticipates taking delivery of 8 remaining Phase II vessels through Q1 2029, which is expected to strengthen its competitive position in fuel efficiency [5] - Demand projections assume a 3% global GDP growth for 2026 and 2027, although China's weak property sector and self-sufficiency policies pose key downside risks [5] - Recycling volumes are expected to rise as the global fleet ages, with 5% of the dry bulk fleet now exceeding 15 years [5] - Revenue visibility is supported by a $178 million contracted backlog, including $130 million from Capesize vessels with an average remaining duration of 1.8 years [5] - Geopolitical tensions and trade barriers, particularly between the U.S. and China, are identified as primary sources of global economic uncertainty [5] - High Chinese port inventories, which are up 11% year-on-year, may soften iron ore import demand in the first half of 2026 [5] Industry Trends - Coal shipments are projected to decline by 1% to 2% in 2026 as the global energy transition reduces thermal coal trade [6]

Group 1 - The dry bulk shipping market is at the beginning of a new cycle, with supply showing bottom characteristics and demand expected to recover by early 2026 as global manufacturing PMI returns above 50, alongside potential fiscal expansion and interest rate cuts [1] - The global order book for dry bulk ships is at a historical low, and new deliveries are expected to decline due to competition from higher-value vessels like container ships and LNG carriers [1] - The demand for bulk commodities is anticipated to improve, particularly with the continued increase in shipments from the West Australian iron ore region [1] Group 2 - Different ship types exhibit significant differences in earnings elasticity, with Capesize vessels showing the highest elasticity, increasing TCE by approximately $1,274 per day for every 100-point rise in the BDI index, while smaller vessels see a TCE increase of around $800 per day [2] - Companies with a higher proportion of large vessels are expected to have stronger profit potential during industry upcycles, while those focusing on smaller vessels may prioritize operational stability and defensiveness [2] - Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK.US) has diversified its fleet and maintains low average costs, providing a safety net during downturns and the ability to capitalize on market trends during upturns [2] Group 3 - Himalaya Shipping (HSHP.US) has a fleet composed entirely of Newcastlemax and scrubber/LNG vessels, maintaining a market premium of around 40%, making it a key focus for potential earnings elasticity in a rising BDI cycle [3] - Genko Shipping Trade (GNK.US), SafeBulkers (SB.US), and Pacific Shipping (02423) have relatively low leverage and balanced ship configurations, providing strong defensiveness during market downturns, making them suitable for investors seeking low volatility [3]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Buy" [3] Core Insights - The dry bulk shipping market is at the beginning of a new cycle, with supply bottoming out and demand showing signs of recovery. The global order book is at a historical low, and the manufacturing PMI has returned above 50, indicating potential demand growth [8][18]. - Different ship types exhibit varying earnings elasticity. The Capesize vessels show the highest elasticity, with a TCE increase of approximately $1,274 per day for every 100-point rise in the BDI index, while smaller vessels have a more muted response [18][96]. - The report highlights the comparative analysis of listed dry bulk shipping companies in the US and Hong Kong, focusing on TCE elasticity and balance sheet quality [18][79]. Summary by Sections Section 1: Elasticity of Listed Companies - The report emphasizes that despite significant differences in fleet size, average age, and order backlog among listed companies, their stock price movements are highly correlated due to the cyclical nature of the industry [18][19]. Section 2: Company Reviews - **Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK)**: SBLK has a diversified fleet and maintains a low average daily operating cost due to its scale. The company has a strong management team with extensive industry experience [21][22]. - **Himalaya Shipping (HSHP)**: HSHP focuses on large bulk carriers and has a young fleet. It benefits from high operational leverage and low cash break-even points, making it a key player in a rising market [34][39]. - **Genco Shipping (GNK)**: GNK has a low debt ratio and focuses on maintaining stable dividends, even during downturns. The company has shifted its strategy to reduce leverage and improve financial health [43][50]. - **Safe Bulkers (SB)**: SB has a concentrated ownership structure and focuses on fleet renewal, replacing older vessels with more environmentally friendly options. The company has a consistent dividend policy [51][55]. - **Diana Shipping (DSX)**: DSX employs a conservative strategy by locking in long-term charters, which stabilizes earnings and supports a steady dividend policy [62][70]. - **Pacific Shipping (2343.HK)**: This company focuses on smaller vessels and has a stable operational model, although it has lower earnings elasticity compared to its US counterparts [72][79]. Section 3: Horizontal Comparison - The report notes a clear differentiation in fleet composition between US and Hong Kong listed companies, with US firms predominantly operating larger vessels. This structural difference impacts their earnings volatility and potential for excess returns during market fluctuations [79][80].

Group 1: Market Overview - The trading day is concluding with mixed results across major indices, with the Dow Jones down over 70 points, while the Nasdaq is up about 130 points, marking a 0.6% increase [7] - The S&P 500 is expected to end the day in the red, indicating no record high for the index [7] - The Russell 2000 index is also down by 0.9%, reflecting a broader trend of losses among smaller companies [8] Group 2: Earnings Reports - Major tech companies such as Microsoft and Alphabet are set to report earnings, alongside other firms like Carvana, Starbucks, and Chipotle [6] - Alphabet reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.87, exceeding the expected $2.26, with revenue also beating estimates at approximately $99.9 billion [13][14] - Microsoft reported first-quarter revenue of $77.67 billion, surpassing the estimate of $75.55 billion, but shares fell about 4% in after-hours trading [17][20] Group 3: Sector Performance - The technology sector managed to finish in the green, up by about 1%, with Nvidia achieving a historic market cap of $5 trillion [8][10] - Energy and industrial sectors faced challenges, while real estate dropped by 2.7% due to rising yields following comments from Jerome Powell [9] - Teradyne, a semi-manufacturing company, saw a significant gain of 20% in its stock price after reporting strong third-quarter results [11] Group 4: Company-Specific Highlights - Meta Platforms reported third-quarter ad revenue of $50 billion, beating expectations, but shares fell by over 7% due to a significant non-cash income tax charge of $5.93 billion [24][25][26] - Starbucks reported fourth-quarter net revenue of $9.6 billion, above estimates, but adjusted earnings per share fell short at $0.52 [21][22] - eBay's fourth-quarter net revenue guidance was raised, but shares dropped nearly 9% due to disappointing performance [32]

Core Points - Safe Bulkers, Inc. is hosting a special ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange to honor the Republic of Cyprus as a global business destination [1][2] - The event marks the ten-year anniversary of Safe Bulkers' operations in Cyprus and highlights the country's attractiveness as a business hub in the Eastern Mediterranean [2][3] - The ceremony includes the participation of prominent figures such as the President of Cyprus and members of the business community, emphasizing the company's successful journey on the NYSE since 2008 [2][3] Company Overview - Safe Bulkers, Inc. is an international provider of marine dry-bulk transportation services, specializing in transporting bulk cargoes like grain, coal, and iron ore [5] - The company's common stock and preferred stocks are listed on the NYSE under the symbols "SB", "SB.PR.C", and "SB.PR.D" [5] Event Details - The event is part of the 3rd Capital Link Cyprus Business Forum, which aims to foster dialogue on Cyprus's business and investment landscape [3] - Safe Bulkers is a grand sponsor of the forum and is hosting a dinner reception in honor of the President of Cyprus [4]