China’s Maple Leaf Shipping has marked its 70th anniversary by adding its largest vessel to date， emerging as the buyer of a 206，300 dwt newcastlemax bulker.

Broker sources tell that the privately owned company is behind the purchase of the 2005-built Cape Merlin， which has now been renamed ES Bright Sea.

Maple Leaf is one of the fastest-growing private shipping companies in China， with global trading routes focused on iron ore， nickel， steel products， and logs， alongside general cargoes， including petroleum products and chemicals. The company has quietly built a presence in the capesize segment in recent years， adding six vessels since entering the sector only a few years ago. Last year marked its most active expansion phase， with a string of capesize acquisitions.Two of these vessels were sourced from UK-based owner Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Maritime. The first deal closed at the end of last year， with Cape Puffin renamed ES Glory Sea. Maple Leaf has also tapped Ofer-controlled Eastern Pacific Shipping， acquiring vessels including Mount K2 and Mount Faber.

Today， Maple Leaf controls a modern， diversified fleet comprising handy and supramax bulkers， coastal container ships， and product and chemical tankers. Like many Chinese owners， the company has in recent years accelerated its diversification into the wet segment， with a series of newbuildings in the chemical tanker sector entering service over the past couple of years.