Union Maritime, the diversified UK-based shipowner led by Laurent Cadji, has bolstered its newbuild orderbook, bringing its total number of vessels under construction to 69. Approximately 90% of these are being built by Chinese shipyards, with Wuhu Shipyard securing the largest share of the orders.
Market reports indicate that Union Maritime is rapidly expanding its presence in the gas carrier market. The company recently placed an order with the private Chinese shipbuilder Yangzijiang Shipbuilding for two 88,000 cbm Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs). These vessels will be constructed by New Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, with the first scheduled for delivery in 2029 and the second in 2030. Yangzijiang Shipbuilding has confirmed the order in its quarterly report.
With this latest move, Union Maritime has ordered a total of four large gas carriers; the other two are 90,000 cbm Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) being built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, with delivery slated for 2029.
Based on fleet data from Union Maritime’s official website, the shipping company’s active fleet currently consists of 109 vessels, including 89 oil tankers, 15 dry bulk carriers, and 5 offshore support vessels. Additionally, there are 69 vessels under construction, of which oil tankers account for over 72%—totaling 50 vessels—along with 4 gas carriers and 15 dry bulk carriers.
The fleet list shows that Union Maritime’s current newbuilding projects are spread across shipyards in China, South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, with 61, 4, 2, and 2 vessels on order, respectively; Chinese shipyards account for approximately 90% of the total. These new vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2206 and 2030. In terms of shipyards, Wuhu Shipyard holds the largest number of new vessel orders from Union Maritime, with 20 vessels currently awaiting delivery; it is followed by Mawei Shipyard and Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry Co., Ltd. (Jinglu Shipyard), which each hold 8 vessels.
According to statistics, the orders placed with Chinese shipyards include: four 211,000 DWT bulk carriers, eight 50,000 DWT product tankers, and eight 18,500 DWT chemical tankers from Wuhu Shipyard; two 82,000 DWT bulk carriers from Hengli Heavy Industries; one 64,500 DWT bulk carrier and four 40,500 DWT bulk carriers from Jiangmen Nanyang Ship Engineering; two 64,000 DWT bulk carriers from Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (Nantong Xiangyu SOE); one 115,000 DWT product tanker from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC); one 114,000 DWT Aframax tanker from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding; two 114,000 DWT Aframax tankers from COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry (Yangzhou); eight 113,600 DWT product tankers from Mawei Shipbuilding; two 112,500 DWT product tankers from New Times Shipbuilding; two 49,200 DWT product tankers from Huanghai Shipbuilding; eight 50,000 DWT product tankers from Jinglu Shipyard; two 25,900 DWT chemical tankers from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard; four 24,200 DWT product tankers from Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co. (DSOC); and two 88,000 cbm VLACs from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.
The overseas shipyard component includes: one 82,400 DWT bulk carrier from Zhoushan Tsuneishi Shipbuilding; one 40,500 DWT bulk carrier from Imabari Shipbuilding; two 50,000 DWT product tankers from Onomichi Dockyard; two 115,000 DWT product tankers from HD Hyundai Vietnam Shipbuilding; and two 90,000 cbm VLGCs from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
According to Clarkson data, the contract for two 82,000 DWT bulk carriers for Hengli Heavy Industries was signed in early July 2026, with delivery expected in the first quarter of 2029.
In addition to newbuilding projects, Union Maritime is actively engaged in the sale and purchase of second-hand vessels, having acquired two vessels and sold five in 2026.