On March 2, Uni-Asia Group announced it had signed a shipbuilding contract with Nihon Shipyard and its affiliates for the construction of one 40,000 DWT bulk carrier. This marks the group’s first shipbuilding order in over a decade.
Under the contract, the new vessel will be constructed by Shimanami Shipyard, a subsidiary of Imabari Shipbuilding, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2028. The price was mutually agreed upon by both parties and aligns with the newbuilding price levels for 38,000 to 42,000 deadweight tonnage bulk carriers during the period from January 2022 to January 2026.
According to reports, the new vessel is equipped with an environmentally friendly engine and features a dual-fuel reserve design. It can be retrofitted with a dual-fuel engine and eco-friendly fuel system in the future, ensuring compliance with industry environmental standards.
Uni-Asia Group stated that the new vessel order is a key component of its fleet renewal strategy, with funding sourced from internal capital, external debt, and other financing arrangements.
Nihon Shipyard was established in 2021 as a joint venture between Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United (JMU).
In January this year, JMU’s three major shareholders—Imabari Shipbuilding, JFE Holdings, and IHI Corporation—completed the transfer of JMU shares. Imabari Shipbuilding acquired 15% of the shares from each of the other two shareholders. This signifies that Japan’s largest shipbuilder, Imabari Shipbuilding, has incorporated Japan’s second-largest shipbuilder, JMU, into its subsidiary structure.