We recently published a list of 11 Best Marine Shipping Stocks to Invest in Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK) stands against other best marine shipping stocks to invest in now.
According to Dr. Shashi Kumar of the US Naval Institute, geopolitical developments tend to have a greater impact on the highly volatile shipping market compared to market forces. Since the 2007–08 financial crisis, the broader global shipping market continues to face a series of new challenges. However, the challenging conditions this industry faced in 2024 were unmatched over the past decade and a half, says Kumar. The year’s challenging conditions included the prolonged war in Ukraine, wanton Houthi attacks in the Red Sea as well as increased tensions in the South China Sea. Kumar also noted that container ships decided to avoid the Suez Canal and chose to transport goods around southern Africa, which increased transit time and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, the owners of these container ships saw a profitable year.
What Lies Ahead for Marine Vessels Market?
The marine vessels market is expected to reach US$133.63 billion by 2030 from US$111.10 billion in 2024, as per Research and Markets. While global trade continues to fuel the demand for different types of ships, the military navy growth has also been lending support to expand the market. Notably, the requirement for larger and more versatile vessels stems from the demand for efficient transportation of goods. Also, increasing passenger and tourism needs continue to fuel fleet expansion and technology upgrades.
The firm believes that several cruise lines have been adding more ships to cater to the needs of travelers focusing on unique experiences. Overall, the strategic fleet renewal remains critical for market improvement. New and fuel-efficient vessels have been supporting to meet environmental standards and lower costs, says Research and Markets. The transition towards sustainable shipping practices continues to become more critical to obey the international rules targeting reduced emissions.
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Cargo Vessels Segment Is Expected to Lead Growth
Research and Markets believes that cargo vessels continue to become a critical part of commercial shipping. Such vessels tend to play a vital role in global trade by transporting numerous goods across the seas. With the demand for faster and more reliable shipping increasing, the broader industry remains focused on adopting new technologies. Notably, modern navigation systems, eco-friendly fuels, and automation tend to enhance efficiency, improve safety, and reduce the environmental impact. Therefore, as global trade has been expanding, cargo vessels remain critical when it comes to international commerce and economic growth.
Our Methodology
To list the 11 Best Marine Shipping Stocks to Invest in Now, we used a screener to shortlist the companies catering to the broader marine shipping industry. Next, we mentioned the hedge fund sentiments around each stock, as of Q4 2024. Finally, the stocks were arranged in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiments.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
A hugh vessel carrying hundreds of containers passing by a small fishermen boat.
Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22
Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK) is engaged in the ocean transportation of dry bulk cargoes. Operationally, the company has made progress in integrating systems and processes, creating a ship-owning and management platform that combines the strengths of Star Bulk and ex-Eagle Bulk. Delivering on the commitment to synergies, Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK) managed to cumulatively reduce costs by $21.8 million since April 2024. Notably, in April 2024, the company completed its merger with Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. In Q4 2024, the company achieved $12.6 million in cost reductions, which is equivalent to an annualized run rate of more than $50.0 million.
With Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK)’s healthy balance sheet, scale, and deep industry expertise, it remains well placed to capitalize on future opportunities. The company remains cautiously optimistic regarding the medium-term outlook for the dry bulk market, considering the favorable supply picture, stricter environmental regulations, and steps by the Chinese government in a bid to stimulate the economy. Amidst increased geopolitical uncertainty, Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK) focuses on actively managing its diverse scrubber-fitted fleet to take advantage of emerging market opportunities and to continue creating value. In February 2025, the company received the credit committee approval for a senior secured revolving facility of an amount up to $50 million. Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK) has 13 debt-free vessels with an aggregate market value of $250 million.
Overall, SBLK ranks 5th on our list of best marine shipping stocks to invest in now. While we acknowledge the potential of SBLK as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued AI stock that is more promising than SBLK but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
