Greek shipowner JME Navigation has returned to China’s New Dayang Shipbuilding for another ultramax, securing one of the yard’s remaining 2030 delivery positions, according to Splash247. Brokers report that the 64,000 dwt Crown 63 vessel is due in early 2030. The contract was reportedly signed some time ago but has not been announced by JME, New Dayang or yard parent Sumec Marine. No price has emerged.
Order Details
The latest deal lifts JME’s orderbook at the Yangzhou-based builder to three ultramaxes. A ship contracted in June 2024 is scheduled for delivery in July 2027, while another, ordered last November, is due to follow towards the end of 2028. The new ship takes JME’s latest New Dayang programme to five Crown 63 units. The first two, Princess Eirini and Harilaos Junior, were ordered as a pair in 2023 and delivered last year.
| Vessel | DWT | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Order June 2024 | 64,000 dwt | July 2027 |
| Order Nov 2024 | 64,000 dwt | End 2028 |
| Latest order | 64,000 dwt | Early 2030 |
JME's Expanding Fleet
JME’s website lists six vessels in operation, comprising four ultramaxes, one supramax and one handysize. The company also has a longer history with the yard, having taken three bulkers from predecessor Yangzhou Dayang between 2013 and 2015. This latest order underscores JME’s continued investment in ultramax tonnage, building on its existing fleet of similar vessels.
New Dayang's Crown 63 Track Record
New Dayang has delivered more than 160 ships from its Crown 63 series, with production slots now stretching into 2030. The yard’s experience with this design is a key factor for owners like JME who return for repeat orders. For comparison, a public tender awarded to New Dayang this month valued two similar 64,000 dwt ships for Zhejiang Shipping at about $38.5 million apiece, with both vessels also due in 2030. While the price of JME's latest order has not been disclosed, the Zhejiang deal provides a benchmark for the market.
Implications for Bulk Shipping Capacity
The ongoing orders at New Dayang indicate sustained demand for ultramax bulkers, a workhorse of the dry bulk trades. With delivery slots now extending to 2030, the orderbook for Crown 63 vessels continues to grow, which will add to future bulk carrier supply. For freight forwarders and logistics managers, this signals that newbuilding delivery timelines remain stretched, potentially tightening availability of modern tonnage in the near term. The repeat business from JME highlights the yard’s reputation for reliable delivery and consistent design.
Sources:
