Bangladesh’s Akij books four bulker newbuilds in China

The Dhaka-based group has signed with Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering for four 63,800 dwt vessels.      No price or delivery dates have been disclosed.     The deal adds another international name to Nantong Xiangyu’s growing ultramax orderbook.   The Chinese yard said the contract marked its second newbuilding deal announced in June, following an order from Fujian Shipping Group for four 62,000 dwt multipurpose vessels.   Nantong Xiangyu has had a busy year across dry bulk and multipurpose tonnage. The yard has also been linked this year to orders from Shanghai Time Shipping and Mercuria, while Splash reported earlier that Seacon Shipping had taken over six 63,800 dwt ultramax resale contracts at the same builder.   Akij Shipping Line, part of Akij Resource, was established in 2010 and has grown into one of Bangladesh’s active private dry bulk operators. Akij has been on Splash’s radar for several years as one of Bangladesh’s more active bulker players. The company says it operates 10 ocean-going bulk carriers and 50 lighter vessels, with its fleet focused on single-deck bulkers ranging from 45,000 dwt to 76,000 dwt.      The company originally built its shipping arm around cargo flows for Akij Cement, before expanding into wider dry bulk trades including clinker, limestone, slag, coal, fertiliser, grain, gypsum and aggregates.