Polish Steamship Co (Polsteam) has moved to bolster its fleet with a fresh series of handysize bulk carriers ordered at Wuhu Weihai Shipbuilding in China.

The state-owned operator has signed for four firm 45，000 dwt vessels， with options for two additional units. The first ship in the series is expected to be delivered in early 2028. No contract price has been disclosed.

The vessels will reportedly be built to the Bluetech 45 design， featuring an overall length of 190 m， with an emphasis on fuel efficiency and operational flexibility.

“The new units not only offer greater tonnage—they are， above all， economical to operate， modern， and efficient， which will ensure competitiveness in the global bulk transport market，” Polsteam said.

Polsteam， also known as Polska Żegluga Morska， operates a mixed dry bulk fleet with a strong presence in the Great Lakes trade. It carries steel， grain， and general bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway system， using purpose-built laker vessels.

The Wuhu order follows a 12-ship newbuild program for lake carriers placed at Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding between 2022 and 2023. Seven of those vessels have been delivered to date.