Greek dry bulk owner DryDel Shipping is further strengthening its fleet expansion strategy with the addition of three new vessels to its Japanese newbuilding programme, reinforcing a long-standing focus on high-quality tonnage from Japanese shipyards.
The latest orders, announced ahead of the Posidonia exhibition in Athens next week, include one 82,000 dwt kamsarmax bulk carrier to be built at Shin Kurushima Dockyard and scheduled for delivery in 2028. The deal also covers two 64,000 dwt ultramax bulkers, with one assigned to Nihon Shipyard for delivery in 2029 and the second to Oshima Shipyard, expected to be delivered in 2030.
All three vessels will be constructed in line with IMO Tier III emissions regulations and Phase 3 environmental standards, and will incorporate next-generation “super eco” designs aimed at reducing fuel consumption and lowering emissions across operations.
The latest move further underlines DryDel’s consistent strategy of investing exclusively in Japanese-built vessels. Since 2021, the Athens-based owner has placed more than 20 bulker newbuilding orders exclusively at Japanese yards, covering a wide range of vessel classes from handysize to capesize tonnage.
Over the same period, the company has also taken delivery of 10 Japanese-built vessels, reinforcing its commitment to fleet renewal through high-specification assets.
DryDel’s most recent ordering activity prior to this announcement came late last year, when the company secured two capesize bulk carriers at Namura Shipbuilding. On the second-hand market, the owner has also been active, with several handysize and ultramax vessels changing hands throughout 2025 and earlier this year.
Following the latest orders, DryDel’s forward orderbook now stands at 11 vessels with a combined carrying capacity exceeding 1.2m dwt, marking a significant pipeline of future deliveries.
Chief executive Costas Delaportas said the company’s approach remains firmly rooted in long-term cooperation with Japanese shipbuilders rather than opportunistic expansion.
“At DryDel Shipping, we continue to invest exclusively in Japanese shipbuilding, with a long-term perspective and strong confidence in the quality and excellence that Japanese yards consistently deliver,” he said.
He added that the strategy is not driven by fleet growth alone but by the pursuit of operational quality and commercial competitiveness.
“Our objective is not growth for the sake of growth, but the development of a modern, efficient and commercially competitive fleet that creates lasting value for our charterers and partners worldwide,” Delaportas said.
