Cosco Shipping Bulk has put pen to paper on a series of up to 10 newcastlemax bulkers in what is expected to form part of a wider series of 210,000-dwt newbuildings.

The Chinese shipowner has turned to Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Yangzhou Shipyard (Cosco HI Yangzhou) for eight firm vessels and two optional ships, it has confirmed.

The deal is believed to be worth $54m per vessel, pushing the overall price tag out to $432m.