Japanese owner Kumiai Senpaku has penned shipbuilding contract with CSSC-affiliate Chengxi Shipyard for the construction of a 37,000dwt asphalt carrier.

The vessel is scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2018.

Kumiai Senpaku currently has another two asphalt carriers under construction at Chengxi Shipyard, with deliveries scheduled in the second half of 2017.

Kumiai Senpaku now operates a fleet of 15 vessels, 14 of which are bulk carriers.