Yangzijiang Maritime adds kamsarmax bulkers to newbuild spree

Singapore-listed Yangzijiang Maritime Development has struck a bulk carrier newbuilding deal in China, for up to six kamsarmaxes at Jiangsu Watts Energy & Engineering.

The Ren Yuanlin-led maritime investment group has signed for four firm 82,000 dwt vessels, with options for another two, according to Chinese shipbuilding sources.

The deal would mark Yangzijiang Maritime’s first reported order at Watts, which has only recently entered conventional merchant ship construction.

In August, the Qidong-based yard secured its first kamsarmax contract from Xiamen-based Amoysailing Maritime, covering four 82,000 dwt vessels for delivery in 2028.

That contract was estimated at around $35m to $38m per vessel for standard specifications, although no pricing has surfaced for the latest reported Yangzijiang Maritime series.

The order adds another chapter to Yangzijiang Maritime’s aggressive expansion across several shipping segments.

In September, the company formally disclosed 24 firm newbuilding contracts and 16 options spread across five vessel types, including six 64,500 dwt ultramaxes, six MR product and chemical tankers, eight stainless steel chemical tankers and four VLCCs.

That programme lifted its disclosed newbuilding portfolio to 98 vessels, comprising 75 firm ships under construction, 16 options and seven vessels already delivered.

The latest kamsarmax deal would represent a separate move into larger dry bulk tonnage rather than an additional disclosure of the previously announced ultramax programme.

Yangzijiang Maritime has increasingly turned to smaller Chinese yards to secure competitively priced newbuildings, combining its shipbuilding investments with chartering, leasing and pre-delivery vessel sales.

The company has also been expanding its tanker exposure, with its reported programme at Jiangsu Haifeng Shipbuilding now covering six firm and two optional 114,000 dwt LR2s.

Follow Us