The 74,000-dwt ships, due for delivery from Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering before the end of this year, have been acquired for just $13m each.

It comes a week after Trade­Winds reported that Fredriksen was buying the 297,000-dwt New Coral (built 2010) and New Medal (built 2009) from China Merchants Energy for $117.5m enbloc for his listed tanker company Frontline.

The panamax bulkers at Pipavav were originally part of a 12-vessel order from Greek owner Avgi Maritime, concluded at $42m each.