Bulker giant Polish Steamship Co (Polsteam) has ordered another slew of newbuildings as part of its long-running fleet-replacement and expansion programme.

The Szczecin-based owner, which already has a dozen bulkers under construction in China, has booked up to six more handysizes, to bring its total recent spend on new steel to $438m.

Polsteam has gone to Singapore-listed Yangzijiang Shipbuilding for four firm 36,500-dwt lakes-fitted vessels for delivery in 2017.