Greek ship-owner Samos Steamship has re-entered the capesize bulker new building market with an order for two 180,000 dwt vessels at Japan Marine United (JMU), marking its first foray into new capesize orders in nearly three years. The new ships are scheduled to be delivered in the third quarter of 2026. This order follows a similar one placed at JMU in November 2021, where the company contracted capesizes for $60.5 million each. Although the exact price for the new vessels has not been disclosed, industry sources estimate that the cost of capesize bulk carriers is currently exceeding $76 million. Samos Steamship currently operates a fleet of 24 vessels, including both tankers and bulkers. The company's new building program, all with Japanese yards, includes seven ships set to join its fleet in 2025 and 2026. The decision to order new builds comes amid a second-hand capesize market where many ships have changed hands this year, but high prices have discouraged owners from pursuing new builds. As a result, the capesize order book is at a historically low level, comprising only about 7% of the active fleet, and some owners are opting for Newcastle axes instead.