Over the past two weeks, Wuhu Shipyard, a century-old Chinese shipbuilder, has seen significant success in the newbuild market, having publicly announced orders for more than 10 new vessels, including bulk carriers and chemical tankers.
According to TradeWinds, the long-established German shipping company Reederei Nord has placed an order with Wuhu Shipyard for 2+2 Newcastlemax bulk carriers with a deadweight tonnage of 211,000 tons. Delivery is expected between 2028 and 2029, though the contract value has not yet been disclosed.
The order for these large bulk carriers has been confirmed by Kurt Klemme, Managing Director and CEO of Reederei Nord, and marks the shipping company’s first newbuilding contract in a decade. Reederei Nord has secured long-term charter agreements for these vessels, signaling the company’s official entry into the large bulk carrier segment.
Reederei Nord currently operates a fleet of 28 vessels, including 8 oil tankers with a deadweight tonnage ranging from 105,100 to 114,100 DWT, built between 2013 and 2018; 11 container ships with a capacity ranging from 1,700 TEU to 2,500 TEU, built between 2014 and 2025; 10 bulk carriers with a deadweight tonnage ranging from 37,500 to 62,000 DWT, built between 2013 and 2017. It also manages 3 feeder container ships.
Since late April, Wuhu Shipyard has announced several shipbuilding contracts. In addition to the up to four large bulk carriers mentioned earlier, these include four 82,000 DWT bulk carriers ordered by Switzerland’s Mercuria Energy, and 2+2 40,500 DWT IMO II-class product/chemical tankers ordered by the Irish shipowner Ardmore, with all delivery dates scheduled for 2028 and beyond.
Excluding the latest orders, Wuhu Shipyard has already publicly announced at least 17+6 new vessels for 2026, including 8+2 bulk carriers, 2+2 product/chemical tankers, 4 general cargo ships, and 3+2 multipurpose vessels. Additionally, UK-based Union Maritime reportedly holds 2+2 firm orders for Newcastlemax-class bulk carriers at the shipyard; if confirmed, deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028.