Greek Owners More Active in the Newbuilding Market

The newbuilding market has kept on showing added momentum as more Greek owners were reportedly active last week. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “in the dry sector, Greek based company Dynacom exercised the option for 6 x 159,000 dwt Suezmaxes at Chinese New Times Shipyard, taking the full order now to 8 vessels. The price reported for each vessel is $80 mln. and deliveries are set to start in mid-2028 and finish in late 2029. Still, New Times Shipyard secured an order from Tsakos Shipping & Trading for 4 x 75,000 dwt at $55 mln each. The vessels will be scrubber fitted, and deliveries are set to start in mid-2027 and finish in late 2028. The Greek Owner has also placed an order to Chinese shipyard Yangzijiang for one 75,000 dwt aframax at the price of $55 mln with delivery set for mid-2027. Always Tsakos Shipping & Trading placed an order for 2 x 330,000 dwt VLCC to an undisclosed South Korean shipyard. No price was disclosed, and deliveries are set for July 2026 and Feb 2029. The shipyard Japan Marine United secured an order from Alberta Shipmanagement Ltd. for 2 x 320,000 dwt VLCC. No price was disclosed, and deliveries are set for mid-2026 and late 2026. In the LPG sector, the South Korean yard Hyundai secured and order for 2 x 88,000 cu.m. from the Ghanese company West Africa Gas Energy. No price was disclosed, and deliveries are set for mid-2027”.

Meanwhile, in the second hand market, shipbroker Xclusiv siad that “in the Capesize segment, two Japanese-built units changed hands. “Mineral Hiroshige” – 208,572 / 2019 Imabari was sold to Chinese interests for USD 64 mills, while “Bulk Ginza” – 182,868 / 2020 Imabari changed hands for USD 64 mills. The Panamax sector saw an en bloc deal of the two 81K sisters built at Jiangsu New Hantong: “Explorer Asia”- 81K/2016 Jiangsu New Hantong and “Explorer Oceania” – 81K/2015 were sold for USD 40.5 – 41 mills each to Chinese buyers. Meanwhile, Greek interests acquired “Santa Graciela” – 81,149 / 2013 Tsuneishi for high USD 18 mills. In Supramax sector, “FLC Celebration” – 57,000 / 2011 Qingshan achieved USD 11.2 mills. Greek buyers acquired the “Birte Selmer” – 34,976 / 2011 Samjin for USD 9.9 mills, while “Huayang Sunrise” – 34,003 / 2011 Fujian was sold at auction for USD 7.46 mills. Finally, in the Handysize sector, the “CS crystal” – 30,478 / 2010 Tsuji Heavy was sold for USD 10 mills to Korean buyers”.

The shipbroker added that in the wet sector, “this week saw three VLCC transactions. “Papalemos” – 319K/2018 HHI was sold to DHT for USD 108 mills basis delivery September–November 2025. “C. Spirit” – 313K/2013 HHI went to Yasa Shipping for USD 67 mills. An undisclosed buyer also acquired the 299K/2006 “Alter Ego” – 299K/2006 Nantong Cosco was sold for USD 42 mills. On the Suezmax front, “Nordic Thunder” – 157K/2017 Hyundai Samho was sold for USD 66 mills to Delta Tankers. In the Aframax/LR2 segment, Vietnamese interests acquired the “Yasa Golden Marmara” – 110K/2008 Mitsui for USD 31 mills, while Greek buyers acquired the LR2 “Limerick Spirit” – 105K/2007 HHI for USD 27.8 mills. The LR1 sector saw the twin STX sisters “Yamilah-III” and “Bani Yas” (each 74K/2011 & 74K/2010) sold en bloc for USD 22 mills each. In the MR2 market, the “Nord Oceania” – 49K/2018 Onomichi fetched USD 37 mills. Finally, on the Handysize side, “Adeline” – 13K/1999 Lindenau was sold for USD 5.5 mills”, Xclusiv concluded.

Banchero Costa added that “in the Bulk sector undisclosed buyers were behind the purchase of the Minicape BABY CASSIOPEIA 110,842 dwt 2012 Mitsui built was sold at $19 mln to Vietnamese buyers. In the Ultramax segment BULK AQUILA 66,000 dwt 2014 Mitsui built was sold to Bangladesh buyers at $22,70 mln for comparison VANTAGE LADY 63,000 dwt 2015 Jiangsu was sold to Greeks at $20,0 mln In the Supramax segment FLC CELEBRATION 57,000 dwt 2011 Qingshan China built was sold at $11,20. In the Handysize segment NY TRADER III 39,000 dwt 2016 Jiangmen built was sold around $16,5 mln. For comparison UNITY STAR 37,000 dwt 2015 Oshima built was sold in May at $18,0. In the Container sector GARWOOD and GALEN both 1819 teu 2008 and 2009 each Hyundai Mipo built were sold to MSC sold enbloc basis $37 mln. SEABOARD RANGER and SEABOARD OCEAN both 1114 teu both 2009 built Yangzhou built were sold to MSC at $18 mln each. In the Crude Oil sector the VLCC PAPALEMOS 319,000 dwt 2018 Hyundai built was sold to DHT at $108 mln. Europeans Interests were behind the LR2 LIMERICK SPIRIT 112,000 dwt 2007 Hyundai built that was reported sold at $27,80 mln. Similar vessel DONAEGAL SPIRIT 112,000 dwt 2006 Hyundai built was sold in February at $26,0 mln. The LR2 CASPER 108,000 dwt 2010 Hudong built was reported sold at $34,0 mln. In January similar vessel SUVRETTA 109,000 dwt 2008 STX built was reported sold at $31,5 mln. YAMILAH III 75,000 dwt 2011 STX built was reported sol to undisclosed buyers at excess $22 mln”.

Source: Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide