COSCO books newcastlemax newbuilds

COSCO Shipping Bulk is swelling its orderbook with a pair of newcastlemax bulk carrier newbuilds at a domestic yard.

Brokers tell Splash that the dry bulk arm of the Chinese behemoth COSCO Shipping has booked 209,800 dwt units at leading newcastlemax builder CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding.

No price has been divulged for the duo slated for delivery in October and December of 2027.

COSCO launched a massive newbuilding programme in the dry bulk segment last year, commissioning 42 newbuilds across its affiliated COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry and CSSC Chengxi Shipyard.

This was followed by up to eight methanol- and ammonia-ready newcastlemax newbuilds. These will also be operated by COSCO Shipping Bulk with deliveries starting from August 2027 through to November 2028.

Shipbuilding sources suggest the order at Qingdao Beihai includes options for 10 additional newbuilds and that the Chinese state-owned shipping giant is eyeing further newcastlemax orders at at least two other domestic yards.