Stamatis Molaris-led Empire has contracted to build 10 firmunits and eight options at China's JES International Holdings, as TradeWindsreported in April.
But sources in the dry-bulk and finance markets said thisweek that Empire has met with tepid investor interest for the deal, which issaid to be backed by charters to UK-based EDF Trading at a discount to amarket-indexed rate.
One US-based investor who passed on the project said hefound little to like, suggesting Empire was trying to cash in on the momentumcreated when John Fredriksen merged his 25 Frontline 2012 capesize newbuildingsinto US-listed Knightsbridge.
"It
