Australian mining giant BHP could award contracts worth close to $1bn to companies bidding to build a raft of LNG-fuelled newcastlemax bulkers in the first quarter of 2020.

BHP maritime vice president Rashpal Bhatti told The Age and Sydney Morning Herald that the company sent tender requests to 19 organisations, including banks, entrepreneurs, shipowners and shipyards.

Bhatti said BHP had received 17 responses that it is evaluating.