Turkish Startup Places Ultramax Order at Wuhu Shipyard
A newly founded Turkish shipping company, Aqmaris Ship Management, established by the Bekmezci family, has signed an agreement with Wuhu Shipyard in Anhui Province, China, for the construction of ultramax bulk carriers.
The shipyard announced that a contract has been signed for a total of four newbuildings with a combined capacity of 64,500 dwt. The agreement includes two firm orders and two optional vessels. This marks Wuhu’s first newbuilding order in 2026.
Industry sources report that the vessels are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2028, with a price slightly above USD 35 million per ship. Wuhu stated that the environmentally friendly vessels will be equipped with efficient propulsion systems and energy-saving devices, and will comply with IMO Tier III emission requirements as well as EEDI Phase III greenhouse gas standards.
Although little public information is available about Aqmaris, it is claimed to be a newly established company by the Bekmezci family. According to S&P Maritime Portal, the company was founded last year and has not yet recorded any ship ownership activity. The orders are believed to be financed by YingXing Financial Leasing, a Chinese financial institution established in 2023 as a joint venture between Wuhu Shipyard and local investment funds.
Wuhu Shipyard, the largest shipbuilding company in Anhui and part of Chery Holding Group, has been expanding its portfolio. In 2023, it acquired Samjin Shipbuilding Industries in Shandong to begin producing vehicle carriers. Last year, it signed a five-year cooperation agreement with Zhejiang East Coast Shipbuilding to move into chemical tanker production.
