Pavimar Orders First Newbuildings: Four Kamsarmax Bulkers at Hengli

Greek shipowner Pavimar has placed its first newbuilding order since chief executive Ismini Panagiotidi founded the company in Athens 12 years ago, booking four kamsarmax bulk carriers at Hengli Heavy Industries in China. The order marks Pavimar's entry into the newbuilding market and adds the company to a growing wave of Greek owners placing contracts at Hengli, which has positioned itself as the world's largest private shipyard. Kamsarmax bulkers, typically in the 80,000 DWT range, are widely used for dry bulk trades including coal, grain and ore cargoes, and remain a popular segment for owners seeking flexibility across major ports with length restrictions. Pavimar has built its fleet over the past decade primarily through acquisitions of secondhand tonnage rather than newbuilding contracts, making this order a notable shift in strategy for the company. The move reflects a broader trend of Greek owners turning to Chinese yards, and Hengli in particular, as they renew and expand their bulker fleets amid steady demand for dry bulk shipping capacity. According to TrustedDocks orderbook data, the four vessels will be conventionally fuelled, around 82,000 DWT each, priced at about USD 38 million apiece, and are scheduled for delivery between January and December 2029; the order was reported on 2 November 2026. Details on the exact specifications of the four vessels have not been fully disclosed. The order adds to a wider pattern of Greek shipowners placing bulk carrier contracts with Hengli, underscoring the yard's growing role in serving Greece's traditionally dominant dry bulk shipowning community.