Trafigura has taken its newcastlemax newbuilding order to six after firming up options attached to a contract signed earlier this year.

The trader has added an extra two 206,000-dwt vessels at Qingdao Yangfan Shipbuilding in China, independent shipbrokers say.

Trafigura signed up for four firm $55m vessels in a deal first uncovered by TradeWinds in January.

With the two options now exercised, the value of the Yangfan order has risen to $330m.