Union Maritime’s 80-ship orderbook: the nine vessels reshaping global
The London-based owner has ordered nine newbuildings across five segments, pushing its orderbook to nearly 80 ships.
Union Maritime, led by CEO Laurent Cadji, has expanded its orderbook with nine new vessels across five different segments, bringing its total pending deliveries to nearly 80 ships. The latest contracts include two 211,000-dwt newcastlemax bulk carriers at Wuhu Shipyard, two 49,800-dwt MR product tankers at Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding, one 115,000-dwt LR2 tanker at Guangzhou Shipyard International, two 19,900-dwt stainless steel chemical tankers at Fukuoka Shipbuilding, and two 40,000-dwt handysize bulkers at Imabari Shipbuilding.
Deliveries are scheduled between 2027 and 2029, though financial terms remain undisclosed.
The newcastlemax orders at Wuhu Shipyard increase Union Maritime’s total contracts at the yard to six vessels. The company first entered the capesize-plus segment earlier this year with an initial order of two firm ships and two options, reportedly priced at around $76 million each. This move marked a strategic shift beyond its traditional tanker operations.
Safe Bulkers
Diversification drives rapid fleet expansion: Union Maritime
As of September 1, the company’s fleet totaled 185 ships, including 106 operational vessels and 79 newbuildings. Of the ships on order, 48 are being constructed across 10 Chinese shipyards, with deliveries extending through 2030. This represents a significant increase from August, when the company had 69 newbuildings in its pipeline, 61 of which were being built in China.
Union Maritime has also entered the gas carrier market this year, ordering two 90,000-cubic-meter VLGC/VLACs at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, valued at approximately $234 million, alongside two 88,000-cubic-meter VLACs at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.
Phased growth across multiple shipping sectors
Founded in 2006 by Laurent Cadji, Union Maritime began as a single-vessel operator focused on West African trade routes. Since then, it has grown into a diversified shipping company with assets spanning tankers, bulk carriers, gas carriers, and offshore vessels.
The staggered delivery schedule—with vessels arriving between 2027 and 2029—reflects a deliberate strategy to renew and expand the fleet across multiple segments. The newcastlemax bulk carriers, set for delivery between 2028 and 2029, will strengthen the company’s position in dry bulk, while the MR product tankers and LR2 tanker will reinforce its core liquid cargo operations.
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