An unnamed South Korean shipowner is reported to be close to ordering two LNG-powered Newcastlemax bulkers.

The order would be the first such contract in South Korea, reported Platts quoting a senior official at the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries (MOF).

The two 200,000-dwt bulkers will likely be deployed on trades between Australia and South Korea, Song Young-Dal, head of the marine policy department at MOF, was quoted as saying.