Union Maritime has ordered two 84-metre platform supply vessels from Fujian Shipbuilding, with options for two more, extending a relationship that already includes eight LR2 tankers on order at the Chinese state-backed group.

The contract, signed at a ceremony marking Fujian Shipbuilding's 160th anniversary, did not disclose financial terms. Union Maritime's fleet register identifies the newbuilds as MW656-1 and MW656-2, each rated at 4,334 tonnes deadweight. Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding will construct the vessels, with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2029.

How does the order fit Union Maritime's fleet?

The London-based owner operates 185 vessels: 85 tankers, 15 dry bulk carriers and six offshore vessels. Another 79 newbuilds sit in its orderbook. The PSV pair pushes the offshore segment modestly higher at a time when offshore support tonnage remains a small slice of a fleet dominated by liquid bulk.

For shippers and charterers in the offshore energy chain, the order signals incremental new capacity in a PSV market where fleet renewal has lagged. Two 4,334-dwt units arriving in 2028 and 2029 will barely move global supply, but options for two more could double the commitment if exercised.

Why does Fujian want this business?

The PSV contract was one piece of a wider order batch announced at the anniversary event. Fujian also secured contracts for sixteen 87,000-dwt multipurpose grain carriers for COSCO Shipping Bulk — a far larger commitment by tonnage and vessel count.

For the shipbuilder, the anniversary batch spans both offshore support and dry bulk, spreading workload across segments. For Chinese yards competing on price and delivery slots, repeat business from a European owner carries weight: Union Maritime has placed a series of tanker orders with Fujian before.

The company's latest fleet listing shows eight 113,600-dwt LR2 tankers on order at Fujian, with deliveries between 2027 and 2029. That schedule means Fujian will deliver products tankers and PSVs to the same owner in overlapping years.

What happens next?

Watch for the options. If Union Maritime exercises the two additional PSV slots, its offshore fleet would grow by two-thirds from six vessels today. Otherwise, the first steel for MW656-1 and MW656-2 will chart the pace toward 2028 delivery.