The world’slargest bulker owner has penned contracts for four capesizes and a quartet of40,000-dwt vessels at a state-owned yard, it announced today.

Cosco saysthe orders have been placed as part of its dry cargo fleet renewal effort.

It hascontracted the 180,000-dwt capesizes at Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding HeavyIndustries, which is controlled by state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corp(CSIC).

The capesare costing $53.2m