Idan Ofer-led Eastern Pacific Shipping is said to have added a near $1bn order for up to 12 car carriers to its vast newbuilding programme of 80 vessels worth more than $6bn.

Industry sources said the Singapore-based company has contracted two shipyards in China — Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding and China Merchants Jinling Shipyard — to build the series of LNG dual-fuel 5,500-ceu carriers.