High contracting activity in the dry bulk segment continues also this week, with totally 18 ship orders. This includes the order from Eitzen Eco Bulk for up 9 handysize bulk carriers at the private owned Yangzhou shipyard in China. Also Oldendorff is taking advantage of low shipbuilding prices to build up its fleet, latest with declared options for further 2 handysize bulk carriers at Samjin.

Active on the bulker side. Dansish Norden today announced a total of 13 vessels. Two kamsarmaxes and four supramaxes will be built at different yards in Japan and at the same time another two kamsarmaxes and five supramaxes will be chartered in long term with purchase options.

Only few ships reported this week. HMD introducing a new series of 87,000 dwt bulkers. The ships was reported at USD 33.5 mill, and will be delivered end of 2016. Prices are still sliding sideways, with yards chasing buyers for new ECO friendly ship designs. Embiricos has placed an order at Hyundai Samho for 2 containerships (USD 81 mln, delivery 2014).

Bulkers are much in focus and several buyers turning to Japan as Japanese yards are becoming competitive and offering latest eco design. Some Japanese yards can offer early deliveries in first half of 2015, whilst others only have openings well into 2016 and even 2017.