Union Maritime widens newbuild push with first VLGC order
UK owner linked to two large gas carriers at HD Hyundai Heavy
Diversified UK owner Union Maritime has been linked to its first very large gas carrier newbuildings, marking an entry into the large gas carrier sector.
Market sources and shipping data platforms list the Laurent Cadji-led company with two VLGC/VLAC newbuildings at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, costing roughly $234m in total and due to deliver in 2029. Neither Union Maritime nor the yard has publicly named the owner, and no price has been confirmed by the company.
The move would extend an already broad orderbook spanning tankers, chemical carriers, product carriers and larger dry bulk. It was reported earlier this year that Union Maritime had been linked to its first newcastlemax bulker order, up to four 215,000 dwt vessels at Wuhu Shipyard, and the company has run a long tanker contracting spree, much of it in China and including LNG dual-fuel and wind-assisted tonnage. Its fleet list runs to more than 100 owned, chartered and managed ships across crude, product, chemical and dry bulk trades.
