Big Ships Popular Among Greek Ship Owners

Larger ship sizes are still quite popular among Greek owners, based on the deals reported over the past week. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Xclusiv said that in the dry bulk market, “large sizes remain popular among Greek shipowners. On the Newcastlemax sector the “Mineral Charlie” – 205K/2012 HHIC and “Mineral Maureen” – 205K/2012 HHIC were sold for USD 81.6 mills enbloc to Greek buyers. Greek buyers acquired also the Capesize “Courageous”- 181K/2016 SWS for USD 50.5 mills, while also seem to be behind from the sale of “Stella Hope” – 180K/2016 Dalian which was sold for USD 49.5 mills. Moving down the sizes the Kamsarmax “Livia Rose” – 82K/2018 Tsuneishi Zhoushan was sold for USD 35.6 mills to clients of HMM. On the Supramax sector, the “Maine Dream” – 58K/2012 Tsuneishi Cebu found new owners for USD 19.3 mills. Last but not least, the Handysize “Gold Dust” – 28K/2012 Imabari was sold for USD12 mills to Vietnamese buyers”.

By contrast, “the tanker S&P activity was low this week, with only 4 sales to report. On the VLCC sector, Greek buyers acquired the Scrubber fitted “C. Prosperity” – 314K/2009 HHI for USD 53.5 mills. The Scrubber fitted Suezmax “Front Thor” – 157K/2010 Jiangsu Rongsheng changed hands for excess USD 48 mills. Finally, on the MR2 sector, the “Avon” – 50K/2019 HMD found new owners for USD 45.5 mills basis TC attached at USD 23.5k/day for 5 years”, Xclusiv said.

In a separate report this week, shipbroker Banchero Costa noted that “after offers were invited last week Japanese controlled Livia Rose about 82,000 dwt built 2018 Tsuneishi Zhoushan (SS due 2028 BWTS fitted) was sold at $35.6 mln to Greek buyers, a few weeks back the Valiant Summer built 2016 Tsuneishi Zhoushan was reported at $32.5 mln. The Greek controlled Almira 61,000 dwt built 2011 Shin Kasado (SS/DD due Jan 2026 BWTS fitted) went to Far East Buyers at $21.5 mln. Vietnamese buyers were reported to be behind purchase of the Gold Dust 28,000 dwt built 2012 Imabari (SS due 2025 BWTS fitted) at $12 mln. On tankers, the LR1 Avra Patros built 2008 Sundong (SS due 2028 BWTS fitted) was sold to Greek buyers at $29.75 mln. CSC Progress 46,000 dwt built 2007 Jingling (SS11/26 DD 9/24 BWTS ice class 1B CPP trade) was sold to Far Eastern buyers at $21 mln”.

Meanwhile, in the newbulding market, Banchero Costa commented that “China Merchants Energy was reported booking a big order for 14 x 210,000 dwt scrubber fitted Newcastlemax: six vessels will be built at Qingdao Bohai and the remaining units at New Times Shipbuilding; the reported price is $76 mln each, while deliveries are stemming from March 2028 to December 2029. Gearbulk exercised the option for 4x more 45,000 dwt open hatch bulk carriers for transport of pulp at Huangpu Wenchong; vessel will be dual fuel ammonia and methanol ready, to be delivered in 2027. Vitol invested around $300 mln in the construction of 4 x LR2 product carriers at Dalian Shipbuilding, deliveries set for 2nd half of 2026 .It is confirmed that Cape Shipping ordered 2 x LR2 vessels from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry, priced at $72 million, with early deliveries set for the first half of 2026. Containers defied predictions of a slowdown and newbuild orders were rising again, particularly for modern feeder and NeoPanamax vessels. French giant CMA CGM entered into a LOI to order 20 containerships from South Korea’s Hyundai group, marking a $3.5 billion investment set for deliveries into the next decade. This includes 12 x 16,000 TEU units and 8 x 8,000 TEU feeders, priced at approximately $200 million and $140 million per unit, respectively. Berth reservations have been secured, with further confirmations expected. Navios Maritime Partners secured two firm orders and options for 2 x additional 2,700 TEU units from HJ Shipbuilding (with early deliveries slated for 2026), while, Italia Line confirmed 6 x 2,400 TEU units from China’s Huangpu Wenchong, though initial pricing details remain undisclosed”, the shipbroker concluded.

Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide