Shandong Marine Group has swelled its orderbook of very large ore carriers (VLOCs) at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding.

The Chinese state-run shipping firm has contracted for ten 325,000 dwt guaibamax units to take its newbuilding series booked at the yard to 16 vessels.

In December 2023, Shandong Marine signed a contract to build four VLOCs, with delivery expected in 2027, and last September commissioned two more vessels, which will join the fleet in 2028.

All newbuilds, estimated to cost between $130m and $135m each, will feature methanol dual-fuel engines used to haul Brazilian iron ore for Vale.