Privacy Policy

Global Dry Bulk Network (GDBN) Effective date: 20 August 2026 Last updated: 20 August 2026 Version: 1.0

1. About GDBN and This Policy

Global Dry Bulk Network (“GDBN”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is an independent online maritime information and professional networking platform focused on the dry bulk shipping industry.

GDBN provides maritime information, port and cargo databases, vessel-related tools, professional user profiles, verification functions, Live Chat, administrative and moderation functions, and other shipping-related services.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we process, why we process it, how it may be used and shared, how it is protected, and what rights you have in relation to your personal data.

For privacy-related questions, requests or complaints, you may contact GDBN at:

Email: gdbn.bulker@gmail.com

By using GDBN or creating an account, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy.

Different processing activities may rely on different legal grounds. Use of GDBN does not mean that every processing activity is based on your consent.

2. Information We Process

Depending on how you use GDBN, we may process the following categories of information.

Account and Authentication Information

When you register, sign in or manage your account, we may process:

email address;
internal user ID;
authentication information;
email verification status;
account creation and sign-in information;
account status and role;
session information;
password reset and account recovery information;
account restriction or suspension status.

Passwords may pass through secure authentication infrastructure during registration and sign-in.

GDBN does not intentionally store passwords in readable plaintext form.

Professional Profile Information

Depending on the information you choose to provide, we may process:

first name;
last name;
nickname or display name;
profile photograph or avatar;
company name;
position;
job title;
maritime professional activity or industry category;
country;
telephone number;
website;
professional contact information;
other information voluntarily added to your profile.

Some profile information is optional for ordinary use of GDBN but may be required if you request User Verification or Company Verification.

Verification Information

If you request verification, we may process:

your name;
company name;
position or job title;
telephone number;
corporate email address;
requested verification type;
supporting information supplied by you;
relevant profile information;
verification status;
administrative review information;
approval or rejection information.

Verification requests may be reviewed manually by authorised GDBN administrators.

Submitting a verification request does not guarantee approval.

GDBN may reject or revoke verification where information appears inaccurate, misleading, outdated or inconsistent with the professional identity represented by the account.

User-Generated Content

When you use community or contribution functions, we may process:

Live Chat messages;
reactions;
reports;
Port Descriptions;
Cargo Additional Information;
Users Information;
corrections;
comments;
professional maritime information;
uploaded photographs;
uploaded documents or resources;
other submissions;
moderation information associated with your submissions.

Saved Preferences

If you use account-based functions, we may process information such as:

Favourite Ports;
Favourite Vessels;
Favourite Cargoes;
saved settings;
account and interface preferences.

Technical Information

When you access GDBN, certain technical information may be processed automatically, including:

IP address;
date and time of requests;
browser and device information;
operating system;
requested pages or platform functions;
authentication and security events;
error and diagnostic information;
technical request metadata.

This information is primarily used for security, troubleshooting, abuse prevention and operation of the platform.

3. How We Use Your Information

We may process personal data to:

create and maintain your GDBN account;
authenticate you and protect your account;
provide professional profile functionality;
process User Verification and Company Verification requests;
provide Live Chat and other community functions;
save favourites and account preferences;
process maritime information submitted by users;
provide port, cargo, vessel and other maritime functions;
administer and maintain the platform;
moderate user-generated content;
prevent spam, fraud, impersonation and abuse;
investigate security incidents;
maintain platform reliability and security;
provide technical and user support;
respond to privacy requests;
comply with applicable legal obligations;
establish, exercise or defend legal rights.

Where the GDPR applies, our legal bases may include:

Performance of a contract or steps requested by you For account registration, authentication and provision of functions requested by you.

Legitimate interests For platform security, fraud prevention, moderation, verification, protection of users, service reliability and operation of a professional maritime information platform.

Legal obligations Where processing is required by applicable law or lawful authority.

Consent Where an optional processing activity legally requires your consent.

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time without affecting processing lawfully carried out before withdrawal.

GDBN does not currently use personal data for behavioural advertising.

4. Information Visible to Other Users

GDBN is partly a professional maritime networking and information-sharing platform.

Certain information may therefore be visible to other authenticated users.

Depending on the feature, this may include:

your first name and/or last name;
nickname or display name;
avatar;
company;
professional position or activity;
account role;
verification badge;
Live Chat identity;
Live Chat messages;
information intentionally submitted for publication.

Your account email, password information, authentication tokens, private favourites, verification supporting information and internal administrative information are not intended to be publicly displayed.

Profile Photographs and Avatars

Profile photographs are intended to be displayed as part of your GDBN identity.

An avatar may also be retrievable through a direct public URL.

You should therefore treat your avatar as public profile information.

Do not upload an image that you do not want associated with your GDBN profile.

GDBN may resize, compress or otherwise technically process uploaded images for storage, security or performance purposes.

5. Live Chat and User Contributions

Information you post through Live Chat or other publishing functions may be visible to other GDBN users.

You should not publish:

passwords or authentication information;
payment credentials;
sensitive personal information;
confidential company information;
information you are not authorised to disclose;
personal information belonging to another person without an appropriate reason or authority.

GDBN may review, moderate, restrict or remove user content where reasonably necessary to:

enforce platform rules;
prevent abuse;
investigate reports;
protect users;
maintain platform security;
preserve the integrity of maritime information.

Records of moderation actions may be retained where reasonably necessary for security, abuse prevention or dispute resolution.

Professional or maritime information submitted for publication may remain part of the GDBN information database even if the contributing account is later deleted.

Where appropriate, personal attribution may instead be removed or anonymised.

6. Professional Maritime Contact Information

GDBN may contain professional information relating to:

shipping companies;
shipowners and ship managers;
charterers;
port agents;
towage companies;
diving companies;
suppliers;
ship chandlers;
surveyors;
ports and terminals;
maritime authorities;
other maritime service providers.

Where possible, GDBN prefers general corporate contact information rather than unnecessary personal information concerning individual employees.

Professional contact information may originate from:

the individual concerned;
an authorised company representative;
official company websites;
port or government publications;
official maritime sources;
publicly available professional sources;
information submitted by GDBN users.

Where professional information identifies a natural person, it may constitute personal data.

Individuals may contact GDBN to request review, correction or removal of professional personal information concerning them.

7. Files and Documents

Certain GDBN functions may allow users to upload photographs, documents, maritime resources, vessel questionnaires or other files.

Where you upload a file:

it may pass through GDBN's technical infrastructure;
it may be processed to provide the requested function;
it may be stored where storage is required for that function.

You should not upload unnecessary personal or sensitive information.

Unless a specific GDBN function expressly requires it, users should not upload:

passports;
medical records;
payment-card information;
online banking credentials;
government identity documents;
confidential crew records;
special-category personal data.

If GDBN introduces functionality that requires additional sensitive information in the future, an additional privacy notice may be provided where appropriate.

8. How We Store and Process Information

GDBN uses third-party technology and infrastructure providers to operate, secure and maintain the platform.

These providers may process personal data only to the extent necessary to provide services such as:

website and application hosting;
database infrastructure;
user authentication;
file and image storage;
realtime communication functionality;
email delivery;
security and technical operation.

Depending on the function used, account details, profile information, verification information, uploaded content, IP addresses and technical request data may be processed through this infrastructure.

Where third-party service providers process personal data on behalf of GDBN, appropriate contractual, technical and organisational safeguards are used where required by applicable law.

Some infrastructure providers or their subprocessors may operate in different countries.

Where required by applicable law, appropriate safeguards are used for international transfers of personal data.

GDBN does not sell or rent personal data.

We do not sell:

user databases;
email addresses;
telephone numbers;
user profiles;
behavioural information to advertisers or data brokers.

Personal data may be shared only where reasonably necessary with the following categories of recipients.

Service Providers

Technology and infrastructure providers necessary to operate GDBN, including hosting, database, authentication, storage, communication, email and security services.

Other GDBN Users

Only information intended to be visible through professional profiles, Live Chat or other publication functions.

Administrators and Moderators

Where access is reasonably necessary for:

verification;
moderation;
support;
account administration;
security;
investigation of abuse;
maintenance of GDBN.

Professional Advisers

Where reasonably necessary, information may be disclosed to legal, accounting, cybersecurity or other professional advisers subject to appropriate confidentiality requirements.

Authorities

Personal data may be disclosed where required by:

applicable law;
a valid court order;
regulatory requirements;
lawful government requests.

Information may also be used or disclosed where reasonably necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal rights.

10. External Services and Third-Party Links

GDBN may contain links to or display information from independent third-party services, including:

port authorities;
maritime authorities;
mapping and chart providers;
weather services;
time-zone services;
regulatory organisations;
company websites;
professional maritime resources;
payment or banking providers.

Some functions may cause your browser to communicate directly with third-party servers.

Those providers may receive technical information such as:

IP address;
browser information;
requested resource;
request date and time;
other standard network information.

Independent third-party services operate under their own privacy policies and terms.

GDBN does not control and is not responsible for the independent privacy practices of external websites or services.

Users should review the applicable privacy policy before submitting personal information to an external service.

11. Support GDBN and Payment Information

GDBN may provide voluntary methods allowing users to support the project.

Where support is provided through a bank, external payment provider or another independent payment service, financial information is primarily processed by that provider.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, GDBN does not directly collect or store:

complete payment-card numbers;
CVV security codes;
online banking passwords.

GDBN may receive limited information associated with a payment or voluntary contribution, such as:

sender or payer name;
amount;
currency;
payment reference;
date;
transaction status.

External payment and banking providers process information according to their own privacy policies.

12. Cookies and Similar Technologies

GDBN may use cookies or similar browser technologies necessary for:

authentication;
maintaining user sessions;
account security;
essential platform functionality;
remembering necessary preferences.

GDBN does not currently use personal data for cross-site behavioural advertising.

If GDBN introduces non-essential analytics, advertising or tracking technologies that require consent under applicable law, appropriate notice and consent controls will be implemented before such technologies are used.

13. Data Retention and Account Deletion

GDBN retains personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or where retention is required for legal, security, fraud-prevention or dispute-resolution purposes.

Generally:

account information is retained while your account remains active;
profile information is retained until changed, removed or the account is deleted;
avatars are retained until replaced, removed or the account is deleted;
favourites and account preferences are retained until removed or the account is deleted;
verification information may be retained while verification remains relevant and for a reasonable period afterwards for security, audit and fraud-prevention purposes;
moderation records may be retained where necessary to prevent repeated abuse or resolve disputes;
support correspondence may be retained for a reasonable period after the matter is resolved;
technical and security logs are retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for security, troubleshooting and infrastructure operation;
published maritime information may be retained for as long as it remains relevant to the GDBN maritime database.

Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your GDBN account.

Where appropriate, GDBN will delete or anonymise personal information that is no longer required.

Certain limited information may be retained where reasonably necessary for:

legal obligations;
security;
fraud prevention;
abuse prevention;
enforcement of serious account restrictions;
unresolved disputes;
establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

Deleting an account does not necessarily require deletion of genuinely non-personal maritime information contributed to GDBN.

Where appropriate, such information may instead be retained without personal attribution.

When information is deleted from active systems, temporary copies may remain in infrastructure backups until those backups are overwritten or expire through normal backup processes.

14. Security

GDBN uses reasonable technical and organisational measures intended to protect personal data against:

unauthorised access;
accidental loss;
unlawful disclosure;
alteration;
destruction;
misuse;
account takeover.

Security measures may include:

HTTPS/TLS encrypted communications;
account authentication;
role-based administrative access;
server-side validation;
database access controls;
restricted privileged credentials;
storage access controls;
security logging and monitoring.

Access to private verification and administrative information is limited to authorised functions and persons with a legitimate need for access.

No internet service or electronic storage system can guarantee absolute security.

Users are responsible for protecting their passwords, email accounts and devices from unauthorised access.

If GDBN becomes aware of a personal-data security incident, we will investigate and take appropriate measures.

Where applicable law requires notification to users or a competent authority, notification will be made in accordance with the applicable requirements.

15. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on applicable law and your location, you may have rights concerning your personal data.

Where the GDPR applies, these may include:

Right of Access

You may request confirmation as to whether GDBN processes personal data concerning you and request access to that information.

Right to Rectification

You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

Right to Erasure

You may request deletion of personal data where the applicable legal requirements are satisfied.

The right to erasure is not absolute and certain information may need to be retained where permitted or required by law.

Right to Restriction

You may request restriction of processing in circumstances provided by applicable law.

Right to Data Portability

Where applicable, you may request certain personal data you provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.

Right to Object

Where processing is based on legitimate interests, you may have the right to object based on circumstances relating to your particular situation.

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw consent at any time.

Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

Rights Concerning Automated Decision-Making

Where applicable, you may have rights regarding certain decisions made solely through automated processing.

GDBN does not currently use solely automated decision-making intended to produce legal or similarly significant effects on users.

Right to Lodge a Complaint

Where applicable, you may lodge a complaint with a competent data protection supervisory authority if you believe your personal data has been processed unlawfully.

To protect your information, we may request reasonable verification of your identity before completing certain privacy requests.

Privacy requests will be handled within the time limits required by applicable law.

16. Children

GDBN is intended as a professional maritime platform for adult users.

GDBN accounts are not intended for persons under 18 years of age.

We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children through GDBN professional account functions.

If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a person who is not permitted to use GDBN because of age, appropriate steps may be taken to remove the account and associated information.

17. Changes to This Privacy Policy

GDBN may update this Privacy Policy where:

platform functionality changes;
new services or functions are introduced;
service providers change;
privacy or security practices change;
applicable legal requirements change.

The current version will display its applicable Last updated date.

Where a change materially affects how existing personal data is processed, GDBN may provide additional notice through the platform, by email or through another appropriate method.

Where new processing legally requires consent, consent will be requested before that processing begins.

18. Contact

For privacy questions, personal-data requests or complaints, contact:

Global Dry Bulk Network (GDBN) Email: gdbn.bulker@gmail.com

Recommended subject:

GDBN Privacy Request

Privacy Policy — Version 1.0 Effective 20 August 2026