Piraeus-based Masters Ships Management (MSM) has ordered an ultramax bulker duo in China.

But the low-profile Greek shipowner has had less luck with an attempted order for tanker newbuildings at South Korea's cash-strapped STX Offshore & Shipbuilding.

An executive at MSM, in which a member of the Christodoulatos family has an interest, confirmed it had signed up for two ultramax bulker newbuildings at Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore.