Union Maritime Orders Nine Newbuildings, Accelerating Fleet Growth | Mariner News

Union Maritime (UML) has placed orders for nine newbuildings, further accelerating its aggressive fleet modernization and growth strategy across dry bulk and tanker segments. The latest additions comprise Newcastlemax and handysize bulk carriers, alongside tankers designed for chemical and petroleum products.

Specific details regarding the division of these nine vessels among the four categories, the contracting shipyards, individual vessel specifications, contract prices, or delivery schedules have not been disclosed. These new orders will significantly increase UML’s exposure in dry bulk while also augmenting its chemical and product tanker programmes.

This new commitment follows a period of sustained expansion for UML. A report from last month indicated the company already had a substantial construction programme of 69 vessels. Approximately 90 percent of these were being built at Chinese shipyards.

That previous programme included 50 oil tankers, 15 bulk carriers, and four gas carriers, with deliveries anticipated between 2026 and 2030. Of the 69 vessels reported previously, 61 were allocated to shipyards in China, four to South Korea, two to Japan, and two to Vietnam. Wuhu Shipyard held the largest single share, with 20 UML vessels awaiting delivery within that existing orderbook.

UML’s continued, large-scale investment across multiple vessel types, particularly the integration of Newcastlemax bulkers alongside a robust tanker pipeline, underscores a strategic ambition to establish a formidable, modern fleet presence in diverse global trades. This sustained ordering trend points to strong market confidence and a proactive approach to securing future operational capacity and competitive advantage in both liquid and dry bulk sectors.