Cosco Shipping Bulk has splashed out on newbuildings at Jiangsu Hantong Group as part of a $3bn plus haul for the shipbuilder.

Deals from the Chinese giant and Gianluigi Aponte’s MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company are catalysts for a major expansion at the shipyard.

Market sources told TradeWinds that Cosco Shipping Bulk has moved for eight newcastlemax 210,000-dwt bulk carriers to be delivered between 2027 and 2028.