India’s JSW Group has commissioned Wuhu Shipyard and other shipbuilders to construct a series of small, shallow-draught bulkers­­ as it looks to create a 32-ship order­book by the end of the year.

A shipbuilding source said JSW signed up for six newbuildings of 8,000 dwt each at Wuhu early this year, but the deal was not reported. The cost of the bulkers has not been disclosed, but the source suggested they are costing about $8m each.