10 Best Shipping Stocks to Buy According to Analysts

In this article, we will discuss: 10 Best Shipping Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

On March 11, 2026, sources told Reuters that the US Navy had denied nearly daily requests from the shipping industry to escort vessels across the Strait of Hormuz, citing high attack threats. Officials said the Navy is still considering alternatives but could not deploy escorts under the current circumstances. The approach contrasts with words from Donald Trump, who stated that the United States is prepared to accompany tankers “when the time comes.” Shipping challenges had halted most traffic across the strait, which transports around one-fifth of global oil supplies, sending prices to highs not seen since 2022. According to the shipping industry sources, the Navy informed stakeholders that escorts would not commence until the risks had been reduced.

A senior official with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed Iran would fire on ships crossing the strait. Reuters cited reports that several vessels had already been attacked. General Dan Caine of the U.S. military commented that the military is “looking at a range of options.” Director of the European Institute for Studies on the Middle East and North Africa, Adel Bakawan, stated that “nobody is in a position to secure the Strait of Hormuz.”

With that said, here are the 10 Best Shipping Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

Methodology

To list the 10 Best Shipping Stocks to Buy According to Analysts, we sifted through ETFs and several online rankings and shortlisted the stocks. Next, we chose the ones in which analysts see upside and which are popular among hedge funds as of Q4 2025. We then limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment.

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10. International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE:INSW)

On March 9, 2026, Deutsche Bank upgraded International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE:INSW) price objective to $80 from $63 while maintaining a Buy rating.

International Seaways, Inc. reported fourth-quarter net income of $128 million, or $2.56 per share, with adjusted net income of $122 million, or $2.45 per share, and adjusted EBITDA of $175 million. The corporation reported $309 million in full-year net income and $475 million in adjusted EBITDA. The firm maintained $724 million in liquidity, including $167 million in cash. It announced a $2.15 per share dividend payable in March 2026, accounting for 87% of adjusted net income, and reported selling 10 vessels in 2025 for $131 million and seven vessels in 2026 for $216 million.

International Seaways, Inc.’s management said that the company had its best quarter since Q1 2024, driven by crude and product tanker divisions and higher VLCC profitability. The company accelerated fleet renewal through vessel sales and acquisitions and decreased net loan-to-value to 13%. It issued $250 million in bonds, serviced higher-cost debt, and returned approximately $150 million to shareholders.

International Seaways, Inc. transports crude oil and petroleum products. It works in two segments: crude tankers and product carriers.

9. SFL Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:SFL)

On March 6, 2026, SFL Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:SFL) stated that it obtained a drilling agreement in Canada for its semi-submersible rig Hercules, worth an estimated $170 million, for a minimum of 400 days. The contract will begin in the first quarter of 2027. The corporation will prepare the rig in Norway for mobilization to Canada later this year, with Odfjell Drilling managing operations under the arrangement.

SFL Corporation Ltd. published preliminary Q4 2025 results, with operating sales of $176 million, 87% from shipping and 13% from energy, and adjusted EBITDA of $109. The firm announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, its 88th straight payout, which is expected to be paid around March 30, 2026. The company made $52 million in net proceeds from tanker sales and spent $23 million on two Suezmax vessels.

SFL Corporation Ltd. owns and operates vessels and other offshore assets. It also handles asset chartering, purchases, and sales.

8. Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX)

On March 13, 2026, Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX) reported that Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer John Lauer will retire on July 1, 2026, following 19 years of directing sales, marketing, pricing, and customer service. The corporation promoted Chris Scott, presently Senior Vice President of Transpacific Service and Corporate Pricing, to EVP and CCO, following Lauer’s retirement.

Matson, Inc. reported a Q4 2025 net income of $143.1 million, or $4.60 per diluted share, up from $128.0 million, or $3.80 per share, the previous year. Revenue fell to $851.9 million from $890.3 million the previous year. For the fiscal year 2025, the company reported EPS of $13.81, net income of $444.8 million, and EBITDA of $704.7 million. The corporation expects Q1 2026 operating income to drop year on year, with full-year 2026 operating income approaching 2025 levels.

Matson, Inc. is a holding company that provides logistical and transportation services. It operates in the Ocean Transportation and Logistics segments.

7. Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG)

On March 12, 2026, DNB Carnegie lowered Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG) to Hold from Buy, with a $76 price target.

On March 5, 2026, Scorpio Tankers Inc. announced that it had agreed to sell three product tankers, including two 2015-built scrubber-fitted MR vessels for $35.0 million each and one LR2 vessel for $60.0 million, with closings scheduled for Q1 or Q2. The corporation also agreed to charter out two LR2 tankers, signing a five-year deal at $33,000 per day and an eight-year contract at $30,500 per day, with both charters set to begin in Q1 or Q2.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. reported Q4 2025 results with adjusted EBITDA of $151.6 million and adjusted net income of $80.0 million, or $1.70 per share. The firm raised its quarterly dividend to $0.45 per share, representing a 12.5% year over year increase. The company prepaid $154.6 million in debt, covering anticipated amortization until 2027, while also completing several vessel sales and newbuilding purchase agreements through early 2026.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. provides marine transportation of petroleum products. It functions in four segments: MR, LR2, Handymax, and LR1.

6. Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESEA)

On March 4, 2026, Maxim boosted its price objective for Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESEA) from $75 to $90 while maintaining a Buy rating. The firm noted recent Middle Eastern developments, claiming that longer container ship voyage times could restrict vessel supply and near-term contract availability, hence supporting freight conditions.

On March 17, 2026, Euroseas Ltd. reported that it had ordered two 2,800 TEU high-reefer containerships from Huanghai Shipbuilding in China for around $46.35 million each, funding the transaction with debt and equity. The vessels will have over 1,000 reefer plugs and will meet EEDI Phase 3 and IMO NOx Tier III criteria, with a focus on refrigerated cargo needs. The corporation anticipates deliveries in June and August 2028. The agreement also includes the option to acquire up to four additional vessels to assist fleet development into specialized reefer segments.

Euroseas Ltd. is a holding company that provides ocean-going transportation services. It uses containerships to deliver dry and refrigerated containerized cargoes, primarily manufactured goods and perishables.

5. Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL)

On March 9, 2026, Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) reported that its board declared a cash dividend of $0.546875 per depositary share for its 8.75% Series B preferred shares. The dividend is valid from January 1 to March 31, 2026, with payment scheduled for April 1, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 25, 2026.

Global Ship Lease, Inc. reported Q4 normalized EPS of $2.32, compared to $2.55 last year, with revenue of $190.9 million versus $182.4 million the previous year. The corporation secured 2.7 years of contract cover and $2.2 billion in contracted revenue, securing 99% of available positions in 2026 and 80% in 2027. Containerized volumes rose 5% year on year. The firm also acquired three 8,600 TEU vessels with ECO improvements, increasing fleet capacity and operational flexibility.

As of March 19, 2026, the stock is up by 10.88% year-to-date.

Global Ship Lease, Inc. is a holding company. It owns and charters containerships to container shipping companies on long-term, fixed-rate contracts.

4. Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:CCEC)

On March 5, 2026, Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:CCEC) announced a Q4 2025 net income of $28.4 million, increasing 36.5% from $20.8 million in Q4 2024. Revenue was $98.3 million, up 0.7%. The company’s expenses reached $44.8 million, with $16.5 million in vessel operating costs and $21.9 million in depreciation and amortization. Interest and finance costs declined 28.4% to $23.9 million, showing lower debt and lower average interest rates. The firm reported a $0.15 dividend per share for Q4 2025.

During the quarter, Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. received its first LCO2/multi-gas carrier, Active, which was paid for with $29.4 million in cash and a $48.9 million 12-year ECA-backed loan. The company finalized the sale of M/V Buenaventura Express, a 13,696 TEU container vessel, for a $4.2 million profit and used the proceeds to pay debt. The firm has ordered three advanced LNG ships for deployments in 2028-2029, strengthening its gas-focused fleet.

Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. is an international shipping company that specializes in the seaborne transportation of natural gas, containerized commodities, and dry cargo.

3. Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT)

On March 17, 2026, Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT) said that it had reached an agreement to sell a 2005-built tanker for around $40 million. CEO Herbjorn Hansson stated that the firm anticipates fleet growth in the next few years and described the company as being in a strong position with promising prospects.

Nordic American Tankers Limited reported $11.7 million in net income and $34.7 million in EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2025. The corporation earned an average fleet-wide TCE of $35,000 per day, a 25% increase over the previous quarter, with an operating cost of $9,000 per day per ship. NAT issued a $0.17 per share dividend, payable on March 24, 2026, marking its 114th straight quarterly payout. The firm booked over two-thirds of 1Q26 spot days at $55,000 per day and signed a one-year fixed contract with an oil giant for more than $50,000 per day. NAT had more than $100 million in cash and planned to expand its fleet through new builds and acquisitions.

Nordic American Tankers Limited is a global tanker firm. It owns and operates the Suezmax crude oil tankers.

2. Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK)

On March 5, 2026, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited reported that it had secured delivery of the Genco Stars and Stripes, a 208,000 dwt scrubber-fitted Newcastlemax vessel, with a second Newcastlemax scheduled by the end of March. CEO John C. Wobensmith said that the vessel would be deployed immediately in the firm spot market, earning a large premium over benchmark indices. He stated that the high-specification asset improves earnings power and dividend capacity. He also stated that it effectively drives the firm’s strategy and operating leverage to boost earnings and dividends in 2026 and beyond.

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s Q4 2025 financial results reported net income of $15.4 million, or $0.35 per share, and adjusted net income of $17.3 million, or $0.40 per share, after deducting $1.9 million in other operating expenses. The corporation had adjusted EBITDA of $42.0 million, voyage revenues of $109.9 million, net revenue of $77.2 million, and a fleet-wide average daily TCE of $20,064. The company announced a $0.50 dividend per share, payable on March 18, 2026, marking its 26th straight quarterly payout.

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited is an international ship-owning company. It transports iron ore, coal, grain, bauxite, steel, and other dry bulk cargoes.

1. Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:PANL)

On March 10, 2026, Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:PANL) announced fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, with GAAP net income of $11.9 million, or $0.19 per share, and adjusted net income of $10.1 million, or $0.16 per share, on revenue of $183.9 million. The company reported adjusted EBITDA of $28.7 million, increasing 23% year on year, and operating cash flow of $15.1 million. The firm earned time charter equivalent rates of $17,773 per day, 19% higher than the Baltic Panamax, Supramax, and Handysize indexes, and increased shipping days by 26% to 6,025.

The corporation finished 2025 with $103.1 million in cash and $375.6 million in total debt, having repaid $11.8 million in obligations, paid $3.2 million in dividends, and repurchased $1.0 million in stock. The board announced a quarterly dividend of $0.05. Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. is also committed to selling the Bulk Xaymaca for $9.6 million, with delivery due in Q2 2026.

Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. provides seaborne dry bulk logistics and transportation services to industrial customers globally.

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