Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry (BSIC), affiliate of China’s state-run shipbuilder CSIC, is said to have bagged an additional order to build four Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs) from compatriot operator Shandong Shipping.

After Shandong Shipping placed an order for four firm 250,000 dwt VLOCs at the Chinese yard early this year, the owner ordered four options attached to the previous contract, based on a long-term charter signed with BHP Billiton of Australia, TradeWinds reported.

Accordingly, BSIC is to construct a total of eight VLOCs for the operator with delivery slated in 2014 (two units), 2015 (four) and the first half of 2016 (two), in order.

An industry watcher said that when considering a recent rise of VLOC newbuilding value by up to 8%, the operator signed the deal for an attractive newbuilding price, or around $58m apiece, through exercising options. Also, he added that another recent order for two VLOCs placed by Oak Maritime Group at BSIC was valued at about $62-63m apiece.

Meanwhile, BSIC recently scored another order for one Capesize bulker newbuild. Taiwan-listed Chinese Maritime Transport (CMT) exercised an option for one 180,000 dwt bulker at the yard, following previously signed one firm unit.

The additionally awarded vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2016 with a newbuilding price of $46.60m.