Large bulkers specialist Winning International Group has expanded its push into the very large ore carrier segment, ordering another six 325,000 dwt VLOCs from CSSC Beihai Shipbuilding to support its growing West Africa–China bauxite trade.

The Singapore-based owner — which runs a fleet of more than 100 bulkers, over 50 of them owned — signed the latest deal this week, returning to the Chinese yard for a series that will bring its committed WinningMax newbuilding programme to eight ships.

Winning placed its first two 325,000 dwt units with Beihai in September 2023 for delivery in 2026 and 2027. The methanol-ready WinningMax design measures nearly 330 m and includes 12,000-cu-m fuel capacity. The company expects the new VLOCs to cut energy consumption per tonne-mile by close to 50% compared with standard capesize bulkers — a key factor as environmental requirements tighten across long-haul trades.

Winning is the world’s largest mover of bauxite, shipping more than 50m tonnes a year from Guinea to China. The trade has surged from about 2% of global seaborne volumes a decade ago to more than 8% this year, driven by China’s expanding alumina refining sector.

With the additional six ships, and another series booked at Hengli Shipbuilding, Winning is on track to field a dedicated 325,000 dwt bauxite fleet of more than 15 vessels within the next two to three years, further cementing its role as a major player in the Atlantic-to-Asia raw materials corridor.