DRYDEL Shipping has entered the capesize sector for the first time with the order of two 182,000 dwt vessels from Namura Shipbuilding in Japan, for delivery in 2028.

The order, announced on Monday, has been placed for a joint venture DryDel has formed with unidentified Japanese partners.

Strong relations with trading houses and other entities in Japan has been a cornerstone of the company’s operations and the newly-ordered capes bring to 10 the number of newbuildings it has on order from Japanese shipbuilders.

These include four ultramaxes and a kamsarmax from Tsuneishi Group yards, a further ultramax from Shin Kurushima Dockyard, and two 42,000 dwt bulkers from Oshima Shipbuilding.

The owner has already taken delivery of four 40,000 dwt bulkers from Namura since June 2024.

The current fleet on the water comprises 13 vessels, all built in Japan, of an average age of four years.

In addition, it charters in another 18 vessels on periods ranging from one year up to 10 years.

The company has been concluding more than 300 fixtures annually, mainly through its DryDel Shipping Singapore office.

DryDel, led by Costas Delaportas, assumed its new name earlier this year. The company, formerly Meadway Shipping & Trading, rebranded to distinguish it from Meadway Bulkers, controlled by brother George Delaportas.

It said that it ordered the “top-performing, scrubber-fitted capes” in order to take advantage of a historically low orderbook for capesizes and to diversify into a larger size segment of the market.

No price for the order has been immediately revealed.

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