Singapore-listed bulker specialist Uni-Asia Group has ordered a handysize unit in Japan, marking its first newbuilding contract in more than a decade.

The company said it had signed a deal with Nihon Shipyard for the construction of the 40,000 dwt bulker, which will be delivered in the second half of 2028.

The dual-fuel ready vessel will be built by Imabari Shipbuilding at its Shimanami yard. Financial details were not disclosed.

The order is part of Uni-Asia’s plan to renew its fleet as it looks to keep its tonnage competitive in the dry bulk market, the company said in a filing, adding that the design represents a step up from its existing vessels and reflects the group’s focus on improving the environmental performance of its fleet.

The group, listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange since 2007, manages bulk carriers through its Hong Kong shipping arm, operating about 10 Japanese-built ships ranging from handysize to supramax.

The company last placed a newbuilding order in 2015 for the bulker Sider Montediprocida (pictured), which joined the fleet in 2020 and remains in service today. More recently, Uni-Asia has been active in the secondhand market, adding two vessels last year while disposing of older tonnage as part of its ongoing fleet renewal.