Samos Steamship has unveiled a fresh series of investments in tankers and bulkers at four Japanese shipyards.
According to its website, the Greek owner has added orders for a 300,000-dwt VLCC at Japan Marine United; a 115,000-dwt aframax tanker at Sumitomo Heavy Industries; and one 82,000-dwt bulk carrier each at Sanoyas Shipbuilding and Oshima Shipbuilding.
It is already awaiting delivery of a 115,000-dwt aframax tanker from Sumitomo in the second half of this year.
The most recent orders will be delivered in the first half of 2025.
At current values, the total backlog of five ships is worth around $341m.
There are currently only 37 VLCCs on order and, with yards filling up fast, Samos appears to have secured one of the last delivery slots available in 2025.
Sumitomo recently announced its decision to cease shipbuilding operations at the Yokosuka shipyard once it completes its current orderbook. The latest Samos contract is likely to be one of the last ships to be built at the yard.
Samos is a loyal customer of Japanese shipyards, which have built all of its diverse fleet of 25 ships.
The investments are also in line with the company’s policy of maintaining a young fleet.
The current average age of its trading fleet is six years old.
Last year, Samos took delivery of the 301,200-dwt VLCC Olympus from Japan Marine United and two aframax tankers — the 114,700-dwt Andromeda and 111,500-dwt Penelope — from Sumitomo.
It also took delivery of the 182,600-dwt capesizes Proteus and 181,400-dwt Prometheus this year.
