Greek dry bulk shipowner Meadway Bulkers has ordered six 64,500-dwt Ultramax bulk carriers at Xiangyu Shipbuilding (Nantong Xiangyu), with delivery expected between late 2029 and 2030. Specifically, shipbuilding brokers said that the Greek owner controlled by George Delaportas has signed a contract with Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding for six 64,500-dwt bulkers, marking its largest newbuilding investment since 2021.

Details have not yet been disclosed. Shipbuilding brokers estimate the potential investment in the series at about US$216 million. If the order is finalized, it will bring Meadway Bulkers’ existing fleet and newbuildings to 26 vessels.

In fact, Meadway Bulkers has continued to expand capacity in recent years. In September, the company had just taken delivery of the 66,000-dwt bulker “Elisabetta” from Zhoushan Tsuneishi. At the same time, Meadway Bulkers has also been renewing its fleet through secondhand transactions. In January 2026, it spent about US$26.4 million to acquire the 2016-built 64,507-dwt bulker “Good Carry” (formerly named “DSI Drammen”) from Diana Shipping; in February, it also purchased the 2012-built Ultramax bulker “Arabica” for about US$19 million.

Meadway Bulkers was founded by George Delaportas in 2021, spun off from the family shipping business at the time. His brother continued to run Meadway Shipping & Trading, which was later renamed Drydel Shipping. As of now, Meadway Bulkers also has one 64,000-dwt bulker on order at Imabari, Japan, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2027.

For Xiangyu Shipbuilding, the latest order further highlights Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding’s strong position in Ultramax vessels.

According to tracking by Shipping World, Xiangyu Shipbuilding’s Ultramax bulk carrier orderbook ranks among the world’s top. As of July 2026, Xiangyu Shipbuilding has built and delivered more than 100 Ultramax bulk carriers. It has recently won orders from several Greek shipowners, including Goldenport and Atlantic Bulk Carriers, as well as Monaco-based Gestion Maritime.