Greek owner JME Navigation has returned to China’s New Dayang Shipbuilding for another ultramax bulker， continuing a fleet expansion drive that has gathered pace over the past two years.

The shipbuilding arm of state-run machinery manufacturer Sumec Group has been contracted to build one Crown 63 bulk carrier. Delivery details and price have not been disclosed， although brokers value similar ultramaxes at around $33.5m each.

The order extends JME’s relationship with the Jiangsu-based builder， which dates back to the mid-2010s when the owner took delivery of three vessels at New Ocean Shipbuilding， New Dayang’s predecessor. After Sumec restructured the yard in 2018， JME returned with new orders in 2023 and 2024 for three Crown 63 Plus units — two already delivered and a third due in 2027.

New Dayang currently has an orderbook exceeding 100 vessels， the majority of them ultramax bulkers of its flagship Crown 63 Plus design. The yard has delivered 147 ships of the type so far， with more than 60 units still to come.

According to Equasis data， JME Navigation controls a fleet of six bulk carriers. One 2013-built ultramax has been agreed for sale， while two newbuildings remain on order.