Lavinia Bulk expands dry orderbook with fresh Kamsarmax newbuilding deals

About a year ago, the Greece-based shipping company placed an order for six Kamsarmax bulk carriers in China, with Qingdao Yangfan Shipyard set to build four vessels and Cosco Yangzhou handling the remaining two.

Market sources now indicate Lavinia has exercised an option for an additional vessel at Cosco, while also finalising a resale agreement for a Kamsarmax under construction at the Jiangsu New Hantong Ship Heavy Industry shipyard in China. All eight bulk carriers are scheduled for delivery by 2027.

According to information on its website, Lavinia Bulk currently manages a fleet of 53 bulk carriers. Along with its sister company, Laskaridis Shipping, Lavinia operates one of the largest Greek-owned fleets, which includes not only bulk carriers, but also tankers and refrigerated cargo ships. Riviera reported recently that Laskaridis is also pursuing a resale deal for two under-construction MR tankers.

New business in China

Along with fleet expansion, Lavinia Bulk is also pursuing new business opportunities. In September, Laskaridis Shipping, Lavinia’s sister company, announced a joint venture agreement with China’s Liaoyu Group. The new entity, named Fresh Cool Logistical Services, will be based in Dalian.

Liaoyu Group is a diversified fishing and food processing company, which owns and operates port facilities, cold storage units, passenger liners, food processing plants and factory fishing vessels, with a workforce of approximately 5,000 people.

The partners are now working on the design and specifications of the vessels to be built, in collaboration with design offices and shipyards. They plan to construct two 11,000-dwt reefer vessels, with options for two additional ships. These vessels will be used for transporting Liaoyu’s krill and other fishing products, as well as meeting Laskaridis’s transport needs.