Italy’s Manisa group of companies is placing its first newbuilding orders in more than a decade, as part of a fleet renewal plan that will see it expand by about a third.

The group unit has signed contracts with China State Shipbuilding Corp’s Guangxi yard for six firm and two optional 8,500-dwt vessels.

The gearless, open-hatch, ice-class 1B ships are due for delivery in 2025 and 2026.