Greek shipowner Evangelos Marinakis is pressing ahead with his shipbuilding drive, with Capital Maritime striking a combined tanker and bulker newbuilding deal in China.
The Athens-based group has signed contracts covering two VLCCs and four capesize bulk carriers. Delivery details and pricing have not been disclosed, but the deal is estimated at roughly $540m.
The latest order adds to Capital’s already busy pipeline, which spans tankers, gas carriers and containerships, underlining the group’s continued appetite for large, modern tonnage across multiple segments.
Hengli Heavy Industry confirmed it has secured contracts for seven newbuildings as part of its 2025 contracting push, including the two VLCCs and four capesizes for Capital, alongside a suezmax tanker for a Norwegian owner.
Entering this year, the yard marked a major milestone by simultaneously launching four 306,000 dwt VLCCs. The event marked a first since Hengli Heavy Industry began full operations and for the global shipbuilding industry.
With these deals, Hengli said its total contracting for 2025 had reached 115 vessels, with an aggregate value exceeding RMB100bn ($14.3bn), marking another strong year for the fast-expanding Chinese yard.
The shipbuilder added that the Norwegian suzemax order further broadens its customer base and builds on earlier contracts for LNG dual-fuel suzemax tankers, highlighting its push into higher-end tanker segments.
For Capital, the order reinforces its position as one of the most active Greek owners in the newbuilding market, as it continues to refresh and grow its fleet in anticipation of longer-term demand across energy and dry bulk trades.
