Yang Ming's Kuang Ming to enrich fleet with 4 eco-friendly Handymaxes

Taiwanese shipping company Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation has revealed plans to order four new fuel-efficient Handymax bulk carriers.

At its board meeting held on October 16, 2025, Yang Ming gave the green light to its subsidiary, Kuang Ming Shipping, to order the ship quartet in an effort to strengthen its “fleet competitiveness and profitability”.

Kuang Ming is engaged in the bulk shipping business and currently operates a fleet consisting of six Panamax bulk carriers and four Handymax bulk carriers, in addition to one long-term chartered Capesize vessel. Through fleet modernization and the adoption of high-efficiency vessel designs, Kuang Ming aims to enhance its core charter operations and overall operational performance.

Handymax bulk carriers, ranging from 45,000 to 69,999 dwt, are designed to transport major commodities such as coal and grain, as well as minor bulk cargoes including bauxite, fertilizer, agricultural products, cement, and steel.

“The decision to order four new Handymax vessels will not only align with the anticipated growth in the bulk shipping market but also support the replacement of aging