Belgian shipowner Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB) has snapped up an order for an additional 10 dual-fuel newcastlemax bulk carrier newbuildings worth in total $640m, as yard prices start to ease off in China.

Shipbuilding sources said the company had seized a “window of opportunity” and returned to Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry to book the ships that will be delivered in 2025 and 2026.