Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry has bagged an order for a series of panamax bulkers from a domestic owner.
Market players say the CSIC-affiliated state-owned yard has secured an order for five 76,000-dwt ships from Tianjin Guo Dian Shipping Co for delivery from August next year to 2013.
The price is not being disclosed but newbuilding players suggest it to be around $34m per ship. They add that the five-ship order is not newly inked.
“The signing of the newbuilding contract took place last year. The deal was never reported and it only came to light recently,” said a shipbuilding source.
Meanwhile, earlier this year French shipowner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) also ordered eight capesize and handymax bulkers for $330m at the yard.
Four of the new ships are 180,000-dwt capesizes and four are 40,000-dwt vessels.