The Melissanidis family is joining an increasing number of Greek shipowners who are unfamiliar with dry bulk shipping and who have been drawn to the sector by ultra-low asset values, especially for newbuildings.

As reported by TradeWinds' online edition this week, the family's Aegean Shipping Management — long involved in tankers — revealed it has ordered four firm and four optional 82,000-dwt kamsarmaxes at Cosco (Zhoushan) Shipyard.