Top shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries is poised to secure orders for two more VLOC newbuildings, bringing the total number of contracts for 325,000-dwt vessels to 19.

The total value of the VLOC newbuildings is now estimated to be more than $1.5bn.

Shipbuilding players say South Korean shipowner H-Line Shipping has finally made the decision to have its VLOC newbuildings built by compatriot HHI instead of awarding the contract to a shipyard in China.