Panagiotis and George Angelopoulos-led Aegean Bulk has returned to the newbuilding market after several years of absence, signing up for a series of Kamsarmaxes at the world’s currently most active shipbuilder. The Greek shipping company has ordered four 82,000-dwt vessels at China’s Hengli Heavy Industry, with the contract signed on 9 December.
Aegean Bulk had not placed a newbuilding order in more than a decade. According to information on its website, the company’s last newbuild joined the fleet in 2012 from Sungdong Shipyard in South Korea.
The owner currently controls a fleet of seven bulk carriers, a mix of Supramaxes and Kamsarmaxes. In November, Aegean Bulk was linked to the sale of 2011-built Supramax Anemos for around US$16M. The vessel has since changed hands and name, and now operates under Chinese ownership.
Beyond dry bulk, the Angelopoulos brothers remain active in the tanker segment through Arcadia Shipmanagement. Arcadia has also made a notable return to newbuildings over the past two years and now holds an orderbook of seven vessels – Aframaxes and Suezmaxes – across South Korean and Chinese yards.
Best-selling Kamsarmax design
Riviera has consistently reported on Hengli Heavy Industry’s strong momentum in the newbuilding market in recent months.
The 82,000-dwt Kamsarmax design has been one of the yard’s top sellers, attracting multiple owners seeking early delivery slots.
Star Bulk Carriers, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime (Eastmed), Efnav and H Vogemann are among the companies reported to have placed fresh orders at Hengli.
Data from Xclusiv Shipbrokers shows that, as of the end of November, Panamaxes/Kamsarmaxes accounted for 62% of the Greek dry bulk orderbook.
Source: Riviera
