With prompt newbuild slots increasingly rare amid today’s shipbuilding boom the Prokopiou family from Greece have proven to be particularly adept at identifying and ordering at resurrected yards in China.
Having been one of the first foreign owners to order at Hengli Heavy Industries, the yard formerly known as STX Dalian, the shipowner has also found another site for more bulk carrier orders.
Sea Traders, led by Ioanna Prokopiou, has ordered six ultramaxes at Sainty Shipbuilding, a facility that exited shipbuilding in 2017, and has recently been brought out of retirement by new owners. The 63,500 dwt bulk carriers, costing $32m each, will deliver in 2026 and 2027.
Since reentering the market two months ago, Sainty Shipbuilding has also sealed ultramax deals with local companies including China Development Bank Leasing and Jiangsu Ocean Shipping.
Energy News Beat