Yangzijiang Maritime Development has ordered 24 new vessels at Chinese shipyards and secured options for another 16, expanding its newbuilding portfolio across the dry bulk and tanker sectors.
The orders cover five vessel types: six 64,500-dwt bulk carriers, six 49,800-dwt product and chemical tankers, four 28,000-dwt stainless steel chemical tankers, four 29,000-dwt stainless steel chemical tankers and four 319,000-dwt VLCCs.
The ships will be delivered between 2028 and 2030. Yangzijiang Maritime has not disclosed the shipyards or contract values for the full package. The company said the vessels will be built to IACS standards and equipped with eco-notation features.
The latest contracts take the company’s newbuilding portfolio to 98 vessels, including options. Seven ships have already been delivered, while 75 firm orders are under construction. Twelve of the firm newbuildings have been resold, including one already delivered to its buyer.
Several of the latest contracts had previously emerged in the market. These included orders for 64,500-dwt bulk carriers and medium-range tankers, as well as stainless steel chemical tankers at Chinese yards.
The addition of four VLCCs also expands Yangzijiang Maritime’s exposure to the crude tanker market. The company announced eight 319,000-dwt VLCCs in April, taking its disclosed VLCC programme to 12 vessels.
The investment group will finance the newbuilding programme through a combination of equity co-investment and debt financing. Executive chairman and CEO Ren Yuanlin said the company sees opportunities across the maritime sector and plans to focus on vessel designs that can meet tightening environmental requirements.
The expansion follows a rapid increase in Yangzijiang Maritime’s newbuilding exposure since its listing on the Singapore Exchange in November 2025. The company had previously indicated that its portfolio could reach 50 vessels if outstanding options were exercised.
