New York-listed Greek bulker owner Diana Shipping is back ordering ships with a deal for two methanol dual-fuel kamsarmaxes.
The Semiramis Paliou-led company has signed a letter of intent to order, through Japanese trading house Marubeni Corporation or its unaffiliated guaranteed nominee, a pair of 81,200 dwt ships at Tsuneishi Zhoushan shipyard in China.
Subject to the execution of definitive documentation and satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the vessels are expected to deliver by the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028 costing $46m each.
“Diana Shipping takes pride in its role as an industry leader, continually striving to enhance our fleet and operations for the benefit of our stakeholders and the environment. This investment underscores our dedication to sustainable shipping and positions us to meet the evolving demands of our industry while reducing our carbon footprint,” the company’s boss Paliou said.
Diana, which currently sports a fleet of 41 bulkers, last ordered ships in 2014 at what was once Yangzhou Dayang Shipbuilding, before it suffered a financial collapse in 2016. The order was cancelled the same year after delivery delays.
Tsuneishi has become a go-to place for methanol-powered bulkers. Kambara Kisen recently booked an ultramax, backed by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL). J. Lauritzen, Cargill and Mitsui & Co also signed up for kamsarmaxes at the yard, which also won an order from an unnamed owner for another methanol dual-fuelled ultramax in February for delivery in 2025.
