[6-K] SAFE BULKERS, INC. Current Report (Foreign Issuer)

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Safe Bulkers, Inc. has agreed to acquire two newbuild Kamsarmax class dry-bulk vessels, each of about 82,500 deadweight tons, from a Chinese yard. The ships are scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2028 and the first quarter of 2029.

The vessels are designed to meet IMO greenhouse gas Energy Efficiency Design Index Phase 3 standards and NOx-Tier III emissions rules, and are sisters to existing, fuel-efficient ships in the company’s fleet. Safe Bulkers has already taken delivery of twelve IMO GHG Phase 3 – NOx Tier III vessels and, including this deal, now has eight newbuilds on order, two of which are methanol dual fuel, with deliveries spread across 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.

Management describes these orders as part of a fleet renewal strategy aimed at keeping the fleet modern, competitive and environmentally efficient in the global dry-bulk shipping market.

Insights

Shipping industry and capital allocation analyst

Safe Bulkers extends its multi-year, eco-focused fleet renewal with two more Kamsarmax newbuilds delivering in 2028–2029.

Safe Bulkers, Inc. is adding two 82,500 dwt Kamsarmax class dry-bulk vessels, with deliveries in the third quarter of 2028 and the first quarter of 2029. These ships are specified to meet IMO GHG EEDI Phase 3 and NOx-Tier III standards, aligning with tightening environmental rules that affect vessel earnings potential and charterer preference.

The company has already taken delivery of twelve IMO GHG Phase 3 – NOx Tier III vessels and now lists an orderbook of eight additional newbuilds, including two methanol dual fuel units, with four deliveries in 2026, two in 2027, one in 2028 and one in 2029. This staged schedule spreads future capacity additions over several years, while gradually shifting the fleet composition toward newer, more efficient tonnage.

Management explicitly ties these orders to a fleet renewal strategy designed to increase competitiveness and resiliency and to maintain one of the more modern, environmentally efficient dry-bulk fleets. Actual financial impact will depend on future dry-bulk freight markets, operating performance of these vessels and how they are employed once delivered, which can be assessed in subsequent company disclosures.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR

15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of January 2026

SAFE BULKERS, INC.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Apt. D11, Les Acanthes 6, Avenue des Citronniers, MC98000 Monaco

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  ý          Form 40-F   ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in the Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes  ☐          No  ý

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This Report on Form 6-K shall be incorporated by reference into our registration statement on Form F-3, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2024 and as may be further amended, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed by us under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in each case as amended.

EXHIBIT INDEX

1. Press Release dated January 22, 2026: Safe Bulkers, Inc. Announces Agreement for the Acquisition of Two Newbuild Kamsarmax Class Dry-bulk Vessels.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: January 22, 2026

	SAFE BULKERS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Konstantinos Adamopoulos
	Name:	Konstantinos Adamopoulos
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer

Safe Bulkers, Inc. Announces Agreement for the Acquisition 

of Two Newbuild Kamsarmax Class Dry-bulk Vessels

Monaco – January 22, 2026 — Safe Bulkers, Inc. (the Company) (NYSE: SB), an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced today that it has entered into an agreement for the acquisition of two newbuild, 82,500 dwt, dry-bulk, Chinese, Kamsarmax class vessels, with scheduled delivery dates in the third quarter of 2028 and the first quarter of 2029.

The newbuild vessels are designed to meet the Phase 3 requirements of the Energy Efficiency Design Index related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (“IMO GHG -EEDI Phase 3”) as adopted by the International Maritime Organization, (“IMO”) and also comply with the latest NOx emissions regulation, NOx-Tier III (“NOx-Tier III”). The newbuild vessels are sister to existing vessels in our fleet with advanced energy efficiency characteristics resulting in lower fuel consumption. 

The Company has already taken delivery of twelve IMO GHG Phase 3 – NOx Tier III vessels. Including this agreement, the Company has an outstanding orderbook of eight newbuild vessels, two of which are methanol dual fuel, with scheduled deliveries of four in 2026, two in 2027, one in 2028 and one in 2029.

Dr. Loukas Barmparis, President of the Company commented: “We have placed these newbuild orders consistent with our fleet renewal strategy, aiming to increase the competitiveness and resiliency of the Company and to own one of the most modern and environmentally efficient dry bulk fleets in the market.”

About Safe Bulkers, Inc.

The Company is an international provider of marine dry-bulk transportation services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly grain, coal and iron ore, along worldwide shipping routes for some of the world’s largest users of marine dry-bulk transportation services. The Company’s common stock, series C preferred stock and series D preferred stock are listed on the NYSE, and trade under the symbols “SB”, “SB.PR.C”, and “SB.PR.D”, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events, the Company’s growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy, including expected vessel acquisitions and entering into further time charters. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “hopes,” “estimates” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the demand for drybulk vessels, competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates, risks associated with operations outside the United States and other factors listed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

For further information please contact:

Company Contact:

Dr. Loukas Barmparis

President
Safe Bulkers, Inc.

Tel.: +30 2 111 888 400

Fax: +30 2 111 878 500

E-Mail: directors@safebulkers.com

Investor Relations / Media Contact:

Nicolas Bornozis, President Capital Link, Inc.

230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536 New York, N.Y. 10169

Tel.: (212) 661-7566

Fax: (212) 661-7526

E-Mail: safebulkers@capitallink.com