Alpha Bulkers, the Greek dry bulk shipowner controlled by Anna Angelicoussis, is planning to double its order book for large bulk carriers by placing an order for two Newcastlemax vessels at Hengli Heavy Industry, according to shipbrokers and market sources. Delivery dates and construction prices have not been disclosed. If confirmed, the order would extend a partnership between Alpha Bulkers and Hengli Heavy Industries that began in May 2026, when the shipyard reportedly secured a contract from Alpha Bulkers for two Capesize bulk carriers with competitive delivery schedules. Large bulk carriers have been a prominent segment of the 2026 newbuilding market. Data from shipbroker Xclusiv Shipbrokers shows that, as of the end of August 2026, global owners had ordered a total of 105 Capesize and Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) vessels, second only to Supramax/Ultramax orders. The ratio of large bulk carrier orders to existing fleet deadweight tonnage has risen above 18%, while the average age of the current fleet stands at roughly 12.5 years. Alpha Bulkers currently operates 33 vessels totalling 4,546,945 gross tons, with an average age of 9 years, including 2 Newcastlemax carriers of 210,000 DWT built in 2022, 17 Capesize vessels built between 2008 and 2016, 5 Kamsarmax ships from 2017-2018, 2 Ultramax vessels from 2025, and 1 Supramax ship built in 2015. In November 2025, the company also entered the container ship sector, ordering 11 vessels across three sizes from Chinese shipyards Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, Guangdong COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry, and CIMC Raffles.