DryDel Shipping, a Greek bulk carrier company owned by Costas Dellaportas, continues to expand its presence in the newbuild market and has placed orders for three bulk carriers with three Japanese shipyards.
Specifically, DryDel Shipping has signed a contract with Shin Kurushima Sanoyas Shipbuilding for one 82,000 DWT bulk carrier, scheduled for delivery in 2028; has contracted with Nihon Shipyard for one 64,000 DWT bulk carrier, scheduled for delivery in 2029; and has contracted with Japan’s Oshima Shipbuilding for one 64,000 DWT bulk carrier, scheduled for delivery in 2030.
DryDel Shipping stated that all three new vessels were built in accordance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III emissions standards and Phase III environmental requirements. By adopting a new generation of “super-eco-friendly” ship designs, the company aims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
The announcement of this order for three new vessels further solidifies DryDel Shipping’s long-standing business strategy of relying on Japanese shipyards for newbuilds. Since 2021, all of this Greek shipowner’s more than 20 newbuild orders have been placed with Japanese shipyards, covering vessel types ranging from handysize to capesize, and the company has taken delivery of 10 newbuilds from Japanese shipyards over the past two years.
DryDel Shipping’s last round of newbuild orders took place in late 2025, when it ordered two Capesize bulk carriers from Japan’s Namura Shipbuilding. At the same time, the shipping company sold several Handysize and Supramax bulk carriers between 2025 and early 2026.
With these latest orders, DryDel Shipping’s total order backlog has increased to 11 vessels, with a combined deadweight tonnage exceeding 1.2 million DWT.
A DryDel Shipping representative stated: “Our consistent choice of Japanese shipyards is part of the company’s long-term fleet strategy, rather than a short-term expansion measure. This series of shipbuilding projects is not merely an investment strategy, but a long-term partnership built on mutual trust and shared values accumulated over many years. The company aims to build a modern and commercially competitive fleet, rather than simply pursuing scale, in order to create lasting value for global charterers and partners.”