Taiwan Navigation has firmed up newbuilding orders for two 80,000-dwt bulkers, according to a regulatory filing.
Contracts for the two vessels, which are costing $33.9m each, were signed with Japan’s Namura Shipbuilding on 7 March 2019, the shipowner said.
TradeWinds reported that the Taipei-based owner was looking to order up to four of the 80,000-dwt bulkers back in late December last year.
It said the newbuildings were intended to replacing existing tonnage as well as expand its fleet. It did not say when they would be delivered.
Taiwan Navigation has five MR tankers, four kamsarmax, three panamaxes and 11 handymax bulkers in operation, plus several containerships and tugs, according to its website.
It also has a pair of ultramax bulkers on order at Japan's Oshima Shipbuilding, which were recently increased in size from 62,000-dwt to 64,000-dwt.
The two ships are also being installed with scrubbers in a move which has pushed the cost of the vessels up from $51m to $52.8m.
