China Development Bank Financial Leasing (CDB Leasing) has hired three state-owned shipyards to build a series of newcastlemax bulkers worth nearly $418m.

The financial lessor announced it has placed order for eight 210,000-dwt vessels against long-term charter contracts.

Details of the charter deal and the charterer's identity were not disclosed, but shipping sources said CDB Leasing’s newbuildings are backed by Germany’s RWE, an electric utility.