The move confirms all options attached to the
original order placed earlier this year and lifts the value of the programme to
nearly $300m.
The John Su-led owner
had initially contracted four firm 82,000 dwt units at the Chinese yard,
marking a departure from its traditional preference for Japanese shipbuilders.
Four options were secured as part of the deal and have now been declared. Shipbuilding sources place the original
contract price at around $37m per vessel, implying a total investment of
roughly $296m for the eight ships. Deliveries are expected to begin in
2028. Founded in 2010, Erasmus has
steadily broadened its activities beyond dry bulk shipping in recent years. The
company has built exposure across multiple shipping sectors, including
multipurpose vessels, feeder containerships, LPG carriers and tankers. The company’s most recent newbuilding activity has included a series of
feeder containership orders ranging from 1,800 teu to 2,400 teu at Chinese
shipyards, as the owner continues to diversify its fleet portfolio.