Riding the wave of the current shipbuilding supercycle, Yangzijiang Maritime, led by renowned private-sector magnate Ren Yuanlin, has ordered another series of new vessels, reaffirming its strategy of contracting with mid- and lower-tier domestic shipyards.
Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding secures order for 6+4 64,500 DWT bulk carriers.
According to market reports, Yangzijiang Maritime signed a contract with Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding on September 3 for the construction of six 64,500 DWT bulk carriers, with an option for four additional vessels; the price and delivery schedule have not yet been disclosed.
For Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding, Yangzijiang Maritime is not an entirely new partner. Yangzijiang Maritime originated as the maritime investment division of Yangzijiang Financial Holding (Yangzijiang Financial); through this division, the parent company invested in shipbuilding and placed orders with Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding for over ten new vessels—primarily bulk carriers and MR product tankers—for delivery in 2025.
On April 27, 2025, Yangzijiang Financial announced the transfer of its maritime investment business to a newly established subsidiary and outlined plans to spin off the division for a separate listing. Yangzijiang Maritime was incorporated in Singapore on April 28 of that year and subsequently listed there on November 18. With this move, the maritime investment business was successfully carved out from Yangzijiang Financial and formally transferred to Yangzijiang Maritime.
Yangzijiang Maritime has sold four MR product tanker newbuilds originally contracted to Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding to the Monaco-based owner and operator Scorpio Tankers. According to fleet data released by Yangzijiang Maritime in August, the first vessel under this contract was delivered on July 30, 2026; the second is scheduled for delivery in November 2026, with the final two slated for delivery in 2027.
Public records indicate that Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding is a small-to-medium-sized shipyard established in 1995, featuring a 360m x 52m dry dock and four slipways. Data from the Longchuan order database shows that, aside from an order for up to ten bulk carriers placed by Yangzijiang Maritime, no other new shipbuilding projects for the yard have been publicly announced this year.
Qianyao Heavy Industry Secures Order for Two 50,000 DWT MR Product Tankers
In addition, on September 3, Yangzijiang Maritime placed a follow-up order with Qidong Qianyao Heavy Industry for two 50,000 DWT MR product tankers.
In February 2026, Qianyao Heavy Industry launched its partnership with Yangzijiang Maritime by signing a contract for the construction of two 40,000 DWT bulk carriers, with an option for two additional vessels. Delivery of these new ships is scheduled between April 2027 and May 2028. In April, the two parties signed contracts for another two 40,000 DWT bulk carriers and four 50,000 DWT MR product tankers (plus an option for two more). On June 30, they signed for an additional two 50,000 DWT MR product tankers.
With the latest two vessels included, Yangzijiang Maritime has placed firm orders with Qianyao Heavy Industry for a total of 12 vessels, comprising four 40,000 DWT bulk carriers and eight 50,000 DWT MR product tankers. Qianyao Heavy Industry stated that these new vessels will be designed and built in strict accordance with the latest International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and environmental regulations, featuring comprehensive upgrades in energy conservation, emission reduction, operational efficiency, and intelligent management.
Qianyao Heavy Industry was established in 2024; all new shipbuilding projects currently announced by the shipyard originate from Yangzijiang Maritime.
As the latest listed entity under Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, Yangzijiang Maritime is led by Ren Yuanlin, who serves as Executive Chairman and CEO. The company focuses on the shipping sector, with core businesses including shipping asset investment and vessel financing.
So far this year, the largest shipbuilding project announced by Yangzijiang Maritime involves 12 VLCCs to be built by Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (HT). Additionally, the company has placed orders for several 114,000 DWT product/crude oil tankers, 50,000 DWT MR product tankers, and 40,000 DWT bulk carriers, all of which are to be constructed by Chinese shipyards.