Carlova Maritime, a Greek shipowner led by Anthony Inglessis, has placed another newbuilding order to its project portfolio, further strengthening its orderbook.
Fleet data indicates that the company has ordered two 114,000 DWT Aframax tankers from Japan’s Imabari Shipbuilding, with deliveries scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2029 and the first quarter of 2030. This marks the company’s first newbuilding contract placed in Japan since spinning off from Greece’s Samos Steamship; the contract price has not been disclosed.
Sources within the Japanese shipbuilding industry revealed that Imabari Shipbuilding plans to subcontract a portion of the construction work for these two 114,000 DWT Aframax tankers to other Japanese shipyards.
For the Inglessis family’s shipping business, this order for Aframax tankers marks a return to familiar territory. Carlova Maritime’s current operating fleet remains dominated by Japanese-built vessels, including the Aframax tankers “Phaedr” (built in 2025) and “Penelope” (delivered in 2023), both constructed by Sumitomo Heavy Industries.
However, as an increasing number of Japanese shipyards decide to exit the commercial shipbuilding sector, Carlova Maritime has expanded its newbuilding orders to shipyards in China and South Korea.
To date, Carlova Maritime’s official website lists a total of six newbuild vessels: two 300,000 DWT VLCCs from Hanwha Ocean (scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2027 and the third quarter of 2029); one 82,000 DWT bulk carrier and one 114,000 DWT Aframax/LR2 tanker from Hengli Heavy Industries (scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2027 and the second quarter of 2028); and two Aframax tankers from Imabari Shipbuilding.