Sources said that China's Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry is in talks with a Singaporean owner for two large bulkers.
As Berge Bulk is lining up orders for two Newcastlemaxes in a further sign of fleet expansion, sources say the Singapore-based company is in contact with China’s Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry for the 210,000-dwt Newcastlemax pair.
“We heard Berge Bulk signed a letter of intent for the newbuildings early this year,  slated for delivery between end 2013 and 2014.” one said.
A source familiar with Bohai confirms Berge Bulk is interested in the Newcastlemaxes but says a deal is still far from being sealed, saying “Berge Bulk has requested the yard to come up with designs for the 210,000-dwt bulker. It will require some more time before they can conclude the deal.”
Berge Bulk already booked four 388,000-dwt very large ore carriers (VLOCs) at Bohai in 2007 for a reported $100m each. It has since taken delivery of two and is due to take in the remaining pair this year.