Taiwanese owner and operator U-Ming Marine Transport has signed for up to four newcastlemax newbuildings in China.

The Far Eastern Group-backed company has contracted Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry for two firm 211，000 dwt bulk carriers， with options for two more.

The order has been placed through U-Ming Marine Transport Singapore， with each ship costing between $77m and $80m.

The latest deal forms part of the company’s wider dry bulk expansion plan approved earlier this year.

In May， U-Ming said its board had cleared the construction of four 210，000 dwt bulkers and four 64，000 dwt ultramaxes as part of its push to grow beyond 100 vessels and more than 10m dwt.

The company currently operates a diversified fleet across capesize， panamax， post-panamax and ultramax bulkers， cement carriers， VLCCs and VLOCs. It has also moved into offshore wind support and LNG carrier tonnage.

U-Ming said last month that， including owned， jointly owned and under-construction vessels， its fleet stood at over 80 ships with a combined capacity close to 10m dwt. The newcastlemax newbuilds are expected for delivery in 2029 and 2030.