Greek DryDel Shipping is expanding its newbuilding programme with orders for three additional dry bulk vessels at Japanese shipyards.

Announcing the order ahead of Posidonia 2026 exhibition next week in Athens, Costas Delaportas-led DryDel said the three new deals include one 82,000-dwt kamsarmax at Shin Kurushima S/Y, with delivery expected within 2028, one 64,000-dwt ultramax at Nihon Shipyard (Imabari), with delivery scheduled for 2029, and one 64,000-dwt ultramax at Oshima Shipyard, with delivery expected in 2030.

Regarding some of the features of the ordered ships, all three vessels will be reportedly Tier III and Phase 3 compliant with “next-generation super eco designs” aimed at reducing fuel consumption and lower emissions.

Since 2021, the Athens-based company has placed more than 20 newbuilding orders exclusively at Japanese shipyards, representing a considerable dry bulk investment across vessel segments ranging from handysize to capesize.

Over the past two years alone, the company has taken delivery of 10 Japanese-built newbuildings.

Following these latest agreements, DryDel’s forward newbuilding programme now stands at 11 vessels, with total capacity exceeding 1.2 million tons.

Costas Delaportas, DryDel Shipping’s chief executive officer, commented on the expansion: “At DryDel Shipping, we continue to invest exclusively in Japanese shipbuilding, with a long-term perspective and strong confidence in the quality and excellence that Japanese yards consistently deliver.

“For us, this is not simply an investment strategy, but a long-standing partnership built on mutual trust and shared values developed over many years.

“Our objective is not growth for the sake of growth, but the development of a modern, efficient and commercially competitive fleet that creates lasting value for our charterers and partners worldwide.

“We remain committed to investing in high-quality Japanese-built vessels that deliver lower emissions, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness.”

Recently, the company added to its fleet portfolio the newbuild ultramax ship DELMAX66. The company shared a photo in the social media of the naming and delivery of the new ship, built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding.

The new ultramax is the third N/B vessel delivered to DryDel within 2026 and the ninth added to its fleet over the past two years, bringing the fleet average age down to 2.2 years.