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Safe Bulkers Accelerates Sustainable Growth With Japanese-Built Dry Bulk Newbuildings

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 13, 2026

Modernizing The Fleet With Advanced Technology

Safe Bulkers, the Cyprus-linked dry bulk shipping company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, has placed an order for four new Japanese-built vessels as part of its ongoing fleet renewal strategy. The agreement includes the company’s first Capesize newbuilding alongside three Kamsarmax vessels, further expanding its focus on fuel-efficient and environmentally compliant ships.

Strategic Vessel Acquisitions And Financing Structure

The order consists of three 82,000 deadweight tonne Kamsarmax vessels and one 182,000 deadweight tonne Capesize vessel, with all four ships scheduled for delivery during 2029. Two Kamsarmax vessels are expected to be delivered during the first half of the year, while the third is scheduled for the third quarter. Delivery of the Capesize vessel is planned for the second half of 2029. Financing for the Kamsarmax vessels will come through the company’s existing cash reserves. Meanwhile, the Capesize vessel will be financed through a finance lease tied to a ten-year bareboat charter agreement that includes purchase options after five years at predetermined prices.

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Commitment To Environmental And Operational Excellence

All four vessels are being built to comply with the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index Phase 3 standards as well as NOx Tier III emissions requirements. The Kamsarmax vessels will also incorporate energy-efficiency technologies designed to reduce fuel consumption and improve operational performance. Safe Bulkers currently operates 13 vessels meeting IMO GHG Phase 3 and NOx Tier III standards. Following the latest order, the company’s outstanding orderbook will increase to 11 vessels, including two methanol dual-fuel ships scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2029.

Leadership And Strategic Vision

Polys Hajioannou and Loukas Barmparis said the delivery schedule aligns with the company’s broader strategy of maintaining a younger, more fuel-efficient and environmentally advanced fleet. Management added that the investment reflects continued focus on selective vessel acquisitions from leading shipyards as environmental standards across global shipping continue to tighten.

Industry Impact And Future Prospects

Safe Bulkers operates internationally in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, including grain, coal and iron ore, across major global trade routes. The fleet expansion is expected to strengthen the company’s operational efficiency while supporting broader decarbonisation targets across the maritime sector. Shares of Safe Bulkers trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols SB, SB.PR.C and SB.PR.D.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.