Fujian Haitong Development has entered the newbuild market with an order for three 62,000 dwt multipurpose heavy-lift vessels at Taizhou Kouan Shipbuilding, extending a fleet growth plan that has largely been driven by secondhand acquisitions.
In a stock exchange filing, the Shanghai-listed owner said the total investment would be up to RMB900m (about $129m) before tax. The company did not disclose delivery dates, but the contract requires the yard to deliver each vessel within 12 months of steel cutting, subject to permitted delays.
The ships will be contracted through Haitong International Shipping, a wholly owned subsidiary. Fujian Haitong Development said the investment is intended to expand carrying capacity, strengthen fleet structure, and enhance competitiveness and profitability.
The order is a notable shift for the owner, which has scaled its bulk carrier footprint rapidly in recent years, primarily through purchases in the resale market. Management has also signalled a medium-term ambition to build towards a 100-vessel fleet.
Founded in 2009, Fujian Haitong Development began in the supramax segment before adding larger bulker classes, including capesize. By mid-2025, it controlled more than 70 bulk carriers and had been increasing its presence in multipurpose shipping as well.
The company entered the heavylift MPP segment in 2025, taking delivery of its first units and positioning the fleet for project and specialised cargo work. Industry commentary has also pointed to an ageing global MPP fleet and a limited orderbook, factors that can support replacement and renewal activity when project cargo demand is steady.
