Great Wave Navigation, a joint venture between Cargill and Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co, is said to have upped its capesize bulker order at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding by one vessel.

But the US commodities giant and its Tokyo-headquartered partner both denied the move.

Newbuilding brokers say Great Wave had ordered three vessels at the Singapore-listed shipyard and has now declared the first of three options, bringing its firm orders for 180,000-dwt bulkers to four.