Chinese owner Fujian Highton Development has returned to Taizhou Kouan Shipbuilding for two more multipurpose heavylift newbuildings， taking its programme at the yard to nine ships.

Wholly owned Haitong International Shipping has signed for the two 62，000 dwt vessels， with total investment capped at RMB600m ($89m) before tax. The ships will be financed through a mix of internal funds and external financing.

The latest deal builds on three sisterships ordered at Kouan in January for up to RMB900m and another four contracted in April for as much as RMB1.2bn， taking Highton’s total commitment to the nine-ship series to as much as RMB2.7bn.

Delivery dates for the latest pair have not been specified. Under the contracts， Kouan is required to deliver each vessel within 12 months of steel cutting， subject to permitted delays.

Highton has been accelerating its push into multipurpose and heavylift shipping as part of a wider fleet expansion. Splash reported in April that the Shanghai-listed owner had taken the series to seven vessels as it works towards building a 100-ship fleet. Dry bulk remains the backbone of the company’s business， with its controlled fleet earlier this year standing at more than 5m dwt.