Recently, Union Maritime, led by Laurent Cadji, finalized an order for nine newbuildings covering five ship types, bringing the shipping company’s already rapidly expanding orderbook to nearly 80 vessels.

It is understood that the newbuildings ordered comprise two 211,000 dwt Newcastlemax bulk carriers at Wuhu Shipyard; two 49,800 dwt MR product tankers at Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding; one 115,000 dwt LR2 tanker at Guangzhou Shipyard International; two 19,900 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers at Fukuoka Shipbuilding; and two 40,000 dwt Handysize bulk carriers at Imabari Shipbuilding.

On delivery timing, the Wuhu newbuildings are scheduled for delivery in 2029; the two MR product tankers and the LR2 tanker will be delivered in 2027; the chemical tankers being built by Fukuoka will be delivered in 2028 and 2029 respectively; and the two Handysize bulk carriers at Imabari will be delivered in 2027 and 2029. The contract price was not disclosed.

The two Newcastlemax bulk carriers ordered this time bring Union Maritime’s total order count at Wuhu Shipyard to six, with corresponding berth/hull numbers W2691 to W2696. All are 211,000 dwt, with delivery windows falling in 2028–2029.

The Newcastlemax project was launched earlier this year, when Union Maritime was first reported to have ordered this ship type. Initial reports referred to two firm orders plus two options, at about US$76 million per vessel, marking the owner’s first foray into the supersized bulk carrier segment above Capesize.

This latest round of newbuilding investment also highlights how the London-based owner is rapidly moving beyond its traditional tanker business base and pursuing a more diversified strategy.

According to company data, as of September 1, Union Maritime’s fleet totaled 185 vessels, of which 106 were in operation and 79 were newbuildings on order. Of the orderbook, 48 vessels are spread across 10 shipyards in China, with deliveries continuing through 2030.

Union Maritime was founded by Laurent Cadji in 2006, starting with just one vessel serving West African routes. It has since grown into a diversified owner, with a fleet covering tankers, bulk carriers, gas carriers and offshore vessels. This year it has also made a major push into the large gas carrier market. The company ordered two 90,000 cbm VLGC/VLAC carriers at Hyundai Heavy Industries for about US$234 million; it also ordered two 88,000 cbm VLACs at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.