According to data from Greek shipbroker Xclusiv Shipbrokers, Greek shipowners placed orders for a total of 102 new vessels in the first quarter of 2026, a 209% surge from the 33 vessels ordered during the same period in 2025. Overall, global newbuilding orders increased by 34% year-over-year in the first quarter, with Greek shipowners accounting for 24% of the total global newbuilding orders.
In terms of vessel types, Greek shipowners placed orders for a total of 63 oil tankers in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 385% increase compared to the 13 vessels ordered in 2025. Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and Suezmax tankers were the primary vessel types ordered by Greek shipowners, with 24 and 13 vessels ordered, respectively; a total of 12 MR2 product tankers were also ordered.
In the bulk carrier sector, Greek shipowners have placed orders for a total of 16 vessels, compared to just three during the same period in 2025. Among these newbuildings, Capesize and Newcastlemax bulk carriers account for 75% of the total orders, reflecting a resurgence in the market for these vessel types following years of sluggish order activity.
In the liquefied gas carrier sector, Greek shipowners have placed orders for a total of 11 vessels, a 175% surge from the four vessels ordered in 2025. These are primarily liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, with major shipowners such as Maran Gas, Alpha Gas, Tsakos Energy Navigation, and TMS Cardiff Gas returning to shipyards to order newbuilds, all of which are being constructed by Chinese and South Korean shipyards. Overall, the LNG carrier market is gradually recovering after experiencing a slump in orders in 2025.
In sharp contrast to the three major shipping sectors mentioned above, Greek shipowners placed orders for a total of 13 container ships, which is roughly on par with the 12 vessels ordered during the same period in 2025. Within the container ship segment, Greek shipowners have shown a preference for ordering small and medium-sized container ships, and Chinese shipyards remain their top choice.
The growth in orders from Greek shipowners is in line with the overall trend in the global newbuild market.
According to data from Xclusiv Shipbrokers, global shipowners placed orders for a total of 422 new vessels in the first quarter of 2026, a significant increase from the 315 vessels ordered during the same period in 2025.
By vessel type, in the tanker sector, global shipowners placed orders for a total of 152 newbuilds, a 92% increase from the 79 vessels ordered in 2025. VLCCs and Suezmax tankers remained the primary vessel types ordered, with 64 and 41 orders, respectively. It is worth noting that only three VLCCs were ordered globally in the first quarter of 2025.
In the bulk carrier sector, global shipowners placed orders for a total of 74 new vessels, slightly fewer than the 80 ordered during the same period in 2025. Ultramax bulk carriers emerged as the preferred vessel type among shipowners, with 33 orders placed; 17 orders were placed for Newcastlemax bulk carriers; in contrast, orders for Handysize bulk carriers slowed significantly, plummeting from 37 during the same period in 2025 to just 5.
In the container ship sector, global shipowners placed orders for a total of 159 new vessels, representing an increase of approximately 10% year-over-year. This growth is particularly notable given that order volumes for the same period in 2025 were already at a high level. Among these new vessels, feeder container ships led the way with orders for 63 units, followed by Handysize and ultra-large container ships.
In the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier sector, global shipowners have placed orders for a total of 37 vessels, a 208% surge from the 12 vessels ordered in 2025. These orders primarily consist of LNG carriers in the 141,000- to 200,000-cubic-meter class, a vessel type that dominates the investment landscape.