China’s Seacon Shipping is growing its dry bulk fleet with a handysize newbuilding project in Japan.

The Hong Kong-listed， Qingdao-based owner and operator has contracted a single 40，300 dwt double hull bulker at Imabari Shipbuilding for $35m.

The newbuild， which Seacon says will be fuel-efficient and built to meet the latest environmental regulations， is scheduled for delivery during the first quarter of 2028.

The company， which recently ordered an ultramax bulker at Tsuneishi Zhoushan， said the latest move is in line with its ongoing strategy to optimize and expand the fleet by gradually phasing out older controlled ships and replacing them with younger tonnage.

Seacon， with an orderbook or nearly 30 ships， has 40，000 dwt bulkers booked for construction at Japan’s Namura with delivery scheduled between August and October 2025， but also 42，200 dwt ships contracted at Tsuneishi-controlled Zhoushan yard in China， with most of its newbuilding projects financed via sale and leasebacks.