Shipping newcomer Huaxia Financial Leasing (HXFL) is wasting no time in building up its bulker fleet with a series of newbuildings.

The Chinese financial leasing company, which has up to a dozen ultramax bulk carriers on order at two domestic shipyards, has contracted a third shipbuilder to build two similar-size vessels.

Its latest deal brings the company's spending on newbuildings to $448m, including options.