Taiwanese liner company Yang Ming Marine Transport has returned to the newbuilding market through its subsidiary Bright Shipping, ordering four supamax bulkers in Japan.

According to a stock exchange filing, the total value of the contracts is between T$49bn and T$54bn ($55m-$171m), signalling its long-term confidence in dry bulk demand.

The order consists of two supramax bulkers atihon Shipyard and Imabari Shipbuilding, and two more at Oshima Shipbuilding in partnership with Sumisho Marine. No delivery dates have been disclosed.

Bright Shipping currently operates a fleet of 11 bulkers, including ten owned vessels ranging in size from supramax to capesize, and one capesizeker on long-term charter.

Bright Shipping was established in 1990, originally operating as a booking agent in support of Yang Ming’s container. The company entered the dry bulk shipping sector in 2008 as part of the group’s diversification.

The latest order marks Bright Shipping’s firstay into newbuilding business in nearly a decade. Its previous newbuilding action was the purchase of four supramax bulkers from Iwagi Zosen in 204-15, delivered between 2016 and 2018.