Turkey’s Aruna Shipping has signed for up to 10 ultramax bulk carriers at Yangzhou Guoyu Shipbuilding’s new Zhoushan operation， a programme that could more than double its owned fleet.

The deal involves six firm 64，500 dwt ships， with options covering another four vessels.

Shipbuilding databases indicate that the contract was signed in April， with the delivery schedule estimated to begin in the second quarter of 2028 through to 2030.

Market estimates place the price at around $35m per ship， valuing the firm portion at approximately $210m and the full programme at as much as $350m.

Aruna’s own fleet list shows eight supramaxes， all carrying the family owner’s name. The move would take the Istanbul-based company into larger and newer dry bulk tonnage.

The order also gives Guoyu another sizeable series as the Chinese builder rebuilds its book under new ownership.

It is reported last week that Shanghai Changshun had firmed up four additional 6，150 teu containerships at Guoyu， taking its series at the yard to 10 ships. The yard has also moved into car carriers and added several other boxship programmes.