Jhonlin Marine Trans, the shipping arm of Indonesia’s sprawling Jhonlin Group, has quietly assembled an impressive trio of Japanese-built ultramax bulk carriers, signalling a growing ambition in the dry bulk sector from one of the country’s most powerful conglomerates.

The company’s fleet now includes three reflagged ultramaxes — Jhonlin 001 (built 2012), Jhonlin 002 (2018), and Jhonlin 003 (2019) — all now flying the Indonesian flag. According to market sources, the two younger vessels were acquired from Zodiac Maritime for approximately $64m while the oldest, a 61,000 dwt ship built in 2012, was snapped up for $19.5m from Tata NYK Shipping.

All three ships boast Japanese pedigree, having been constructed at highly regarded yards: Oshima Shipbuilding and Iwagi Zosen.

Jhonlin Marine’s latest acquisitions may just be the prelude to a much larger expansion. Earlier this year, the company was linked to an order for eight 64,000 dwt ultramax newbuilds at Oshima Shipbuilding.

The Jhonlin Group, led by tycoon Samsudin Andi Arsyad (popularly known as Haji Isam), has long dominated Indonesia’s mining and energy landscape. Its foray into shipping is seen as a strategic move toward vertical integration, ensuring reliable, in-house transport capacity for the group’s vast coal and commodity exports.