Newport SA, a Piraeus-based owner of Japanese-built bulkers, has placed its first newbuilding orders in the Far Eastern country.
This gives fresh impetus to a long-term growth drive that has seen the fleet of George Chatzis expand to more than 30 vessels.
Market sources told TradeWinds that the low-profile Greek player has moved below the radar to ink a trio of kamsarmaxes at Oshima Shipbuilding.
The order was concluded last year, with the Japanese shipyard set to deliver the first of the ultra-low fuel consumption vessels in 2025 and the remaining two in 2026.
Pricing details remain undisclosed but the timing to book the ships looks good, given recent market trends.
Clarksons’ figures show average kamsarmax newbuilding prices climbing by more than 10% since early 2023 to their highest level since the summer of 2022.
While ordering its first newbuildings since it was set up in 2004, Newport has continued to expand its fleet through secondhand vessel acquisitions.
TradeWinds understands that Newport and affiliate Grehel Shipmanagement stand to take delivery soon of another three kamsarmaxes acquired under the radar on the secondhand market in recent months.
Newport and Grehel currently control 19 kamsarmaxes, 10 handysizes and one ultramax on the water.
All of their vessels have been built at shipyards in Japan or controlled by Japanese shipbuilders.
Chatzis’ involvement in shipping extends beyond vessel ownership.
The Greek owner is understood to be the driving force behind Langlois Enterprises Group — a grain transport company that operates at least 60 third-party-owned bulkers at any given time.
Founded in 2012, Langlois is one of the biggest chartering operations in Greece and also has an office in Lugano, Switzerland.
The company helped transport 14m tonnes of grain last year, mainly out of the Baltic, Black Sea and South America.
