Recently, Wuhu Shipyard has secured orders for 10 new vessels of two types in the bulk carrier market.
Wah Kwong orders four 64,000 DWT bulk carriers from Wuhu Shipyard
Shipbuilding industry sources revealed that Wah Kwong Transport Holdings Ltd. (Wah Kwong) has agreed to place an order for four 64,000 DWT Ultramax bulk carriers at Wuhu Shipyard. The order is worth approximately US$132 million, with each ship costing approximately US$33 million. Delivery is expected in 2028.
Last year, Wah Kwong ordered four 64,000 DWT bulk carriers from New Dayang Shipbuilding. At the time, each vessel cost approximately US$35 million. This series of orders is a continuation of a similar vessel order plan launched in 2021.
Currently, Wah Kwong owns and operates more than 40 vessels and manages another 90 vessels covering multiple market segments, and is committed to actively promoting fleet renewal and expansion.
It is worth noting that shortly before this bulk carrier order was reported, Wuhu Shipyard, together with its subsidiaries Yingxing Financial Leasing (Anhui) Co., Ltd. and Anhui Haizhi Equipment Research Institute, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Wah Kwong in Hong Kong. This move laid the foundation for this latest order.
According to the agreement, the three parties will build an integrated cooperation system of “shipping operation + equipment manufacturing + financial services” to break through and build an industrial ecological closed loop covering the entire life cycle of ships. Through the deep integration of Wah Kwong’s global shipping network, Wuhu Shipyard’s R&D design, high-end intelligent manufacturing, financial leasing and other industrial and financial service advantages, a full-chain ecosystem of maritime industrial and financial services will be formed. This innovative practice is not only a vivid manifestation of Wuhu Shipyard’s leading role in the industrial chain, but also a key measure to promote the transformation of the shipping industry to high-end, intensive and green.
PZM orders 4+2 Handymax bulk carriers
In addition to Wah Kwong’s order, a few days ago, Wuhu Shipyard announced an order for Handymax bulk carriers for Polish shipping company Polska Żegluga Morska (PZM). While Wuhu Shipyard did not disclose the order quantity at the time, industry sources indicate the contract is for four vessels with options for two vessels. The contract price has not been disclosed, and the first vessel is expected to be delivered in early 2028.
This series of vessels adopts the BLUETECH 45 design, with an overall length of 190 meters, a width of 31.84 meters and a depth of 16 meters. The vessel features a modern streamlined hull, reducing water resistance across the entire speed range.
Combined with BlueFin propulsion enhancement technology, it significantly improves propulsion efficiency. Furthermore, it is equipped with a high-efficiency propeller with a 6% underload margin, which dynamically adjusts output based on actual cargo load. This delivers class-leading fuel economy and cargo capacity, making it a benchmark in the Handymax bulk carrier market.
It is worth mentioning that this order placed is another new shipbuilding plan for PZM following its order for 12 new 37,000 DWT Great Lakes bulk carriers from Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (SHGSIC) between 2022 and 2023. Seven vessels in this series have already been delivered.