nNew construction order activity continued strong over the past week. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Panchero Costa said: “Newbuilding activity remained brisk this week, with contracting spread across the dry bulk, tanker, container and gas tanker sectors. Dry bulk orders were led by a series of very large crude carrier and neocastlemax contracts, while notable activity was also seen in product tankers, feeder containers and finished ammonia gas carriers. In the dry bulk sector, Chinese owner China Merchants Energy Shipping was reported to have placed China Merchants Heavy Industry has ordered 6x 343,000t VLOCs, with each vessel priced at approximately US$121.3 million and scheduled for delivery from March 2029. The vessels will reportedly enter into 25-year time charters with Vale for Brazilian iron ore exports to China, and Greek owner Evalend Shipping has also returned to the market, booking 3x 211,000t VLOCs. Tangshan Dajin Offshore Engineering’s Newcastlemaxes are valued at US$77.5 million per unit and are scheduled for delivery at the end of 2029 with the option of one additional unit.
Source: Banchero Costa
“Elsewhere, COSCO Shipping Bulk is understood to have ordered 4x 210,000 dwt Newcastlemaxes in Qingdao Beihai, taking its order book for the design to seven vessels,” the shipbroker added. In the smaller breakbulk sector, Hong Kong-based Seacon Shipping is reported to have contracted 2x 26,700 dwt Handysize bulk carriers in Tsuneishi Zhoushan for US$33 million each, with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2030. Tanker orders also remain steady Chinese company Nanjing Tanker Corporation has reportedly booked four 50,000 dwt product tankers at its Guangzhou International Shipyard, priced at around US$45.7 million each for delivery during 2028. The vessels will reportedly be ready for methanol and in the container sector Taiwanese vessel Yang Ming Marine Transport has returned to Hanwha Ocean for 6x 13,000 TEU dual fuel LNG containers, with deliveries extended from 2028 to 2030. Although no official contract price has been confirmed, market sources indicate a value in the region of US$185-200 million per vessel and elsewhere, Chinese owner Sinotrans is also understood to have ordered 4 capacity feeder vessels 1,800 TEU at China Merchants Qingshan, priced at US$31.5 million each for late 2027 delivery. In addition, Indian interests Kamal and Adil have reportedly placed an order for a 1x 1,710 TEU feeder at Chizhou Tianyu Shipyard for around US$31.5 million Elsewhere, Greek owner Capital has been particularly active in the gas tanker sector, where it has reportedly placed a bid An order for 8x 93,000 m3 LPG/ammonia tankers at Hengli Heavy Industry, with each vessel valued at approximately US$125 million and deliveries are scheduled to take place during 2028, Banchero Costa noted.
Meanwhile, in the S&P market, shipbroker Exclusive noted, “S&P dry activity was particularly strong this week. The smaller ship ‘HL BALIKPAPAN’ – 115K/2012 New Century was sold to Greek buyers, while in the Kamsarmax sector, sister ships ‘NORD ANTARES’ – 82K/2022 Yamic and ‘NORD ANDROMEDA’ – were sold to Greek buyers. 82K / 2022 Yamic”. In the Panamax segment, “YARRA” – 78K/2015 Sasebo was bought by Chinese buyers for 28 average mills, “IVESTOS 8” – 75K/2008 Hudong-Zhonghua was traded for 11.7 USD In the Ultramax segment, Greek buyers bought “SEACON TOKYO” – 66.6K/2023. Tsuneishi Zhoushan for an average 41 mill usd. Additional sales included Ultramaxes “AMIS WISDOM VI” – 61K/2011 Shin Kasado for US$22.3 million on SS/DD and “AMIS WISDOM II” – 62K/2010 Oshima for US$22 million on delivery with SS/DD in the Supramax segment, “HPC ATLANTIC” -. “Minaminippon” 56K/2013 sold for an average of 19 mills USD, “ST PAUL” – 58K/2010 Tsuneishi Cebu sold to Vietnamese buyers for an average of 16 mills USD, “CAPT EUGENE” – 55K/2010 Mitsui traded for 16.6 USD and “BLUE DIAMOND” – 54K/2008 Ha Long Vietnam Hand-sized OHBS “LUCKY FINDER” – 37K/2009 Saiki Heavy sold for 13 US mill, registered ‘SEAMEC GALLANT’ – 32K/2011 Jiangmen Nanyang for US$9.5M on SS/DD basis on 10/2026″.
Source: Exclusive Ship Brokers
The shipbroker added, “Standard & Poor’s tanker activity this week spread across the VLCC, Aframax/LR2 and small tanker sectors this week. In the VLCC sector, the tanker ‘Algeria Prosperity’ was reported sold – 318 thousand/2012 to Sinocor clients, with the price remaining undisclosed. In the Aframax/LR2 sector, ‘Calypso’ was sold – 112 thousand/2021.” The company was traded. Sumitomo for an undisclosed price, while the tanker “ELLIE LADY” – 110K/2009 Sungdong was sold to Trafigura customers for US$47.5 million and also in the same segment, the small tanker “EVA HONGKONG” – 115K/2008 Sasebo Heavy found new owners for US$50. The 20K/2017 Usuki traded for US$30 from the mills, and finally, the ‘HAI XIANG YOU 3’ – 5K/2011 Jiangsu Longhai sold via online auction for US$1.1 million,” concluded Xclusiv.
Nikos Rousanoglou, Global Hellenic Shipping News
