South Korea’s Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering has secured a string of suezmax newbuilding orders that will double 2014 contracting in the sector in just one week.

Idan Ofer, Aristides Alafouzos and a London-based hedge fund have all turned to the shipbuilder with deals potentially worth over $600m, TradeWinds has learned.

Ofer’s Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping is signing for up to four vessels.