Japanese shipowning venture Sakura Ocean Corporation has signed contracts for its first three vessels， launching its fleet development programme less than six months after its establishment.

The company held a signing ceremony in Tokyo covering the construction of three bulk carriers that will be built at some of Japan’s leading shipyards.

The orderbook comprises a 40，000 dwt bulker at Imabari Shipbuilding， a second 40，000 dwt unit at Onomichi Dockyard and a 42，000 dwt ship at Tsuneishi Shipbuilding.

All three newbuilds are scheduled for delivery by 2030 and will be employed under long-term charter arrangements with domestic shipping companies.

Sakura Ocean was established in January this year following a capital and business alliance between SOMEC Corporation， the ship trading subsidiary of ORIX， together with Japanese shipping and shipbuilding groups Shoei Kisen Kaisha， Onomichi Dockyard and Kambara Kisen.

The venture was created to develop and own vessels serving Japan’s domestic shipping market while supporting the renewal of the country’s merchant fleet.

At the time of its launch， the partners said the company would combine the shipmanagement and operational expertise of Japanese shipping companies with the financing， trading and shipbuilding capabilities of its founding shareholders.

The first three vessels represent the inaugural project under the Sakura Ocean platform and mark the start of what the partners envision as a long-term fleet development strategy.

The company said the ships would contribute to the stable provision of maritime transportation services in Japan while supporting the sustainable development of the country’s shipping industry.