China's Wuhu Xinlian Shipbuilding has won an order from German open-hatch general cargoship owner FH Bertling to build a pair of 82,000-dwt kamsarmax bulkers for delivery in 2012.

An executive at Wuhu Xinlian confirms Bertling's contract and adds that the Hamburg-based owner is the second company to have commissioned the yard to build kamsarmaxes.

Fujian Ocean Shipping Co (Fosco) is the first. The domestic shipping company booked seven units for delivery from late 2011 until the end of 2012.

Wuhu Xinlian did not disclose the price of the bulkers but brokers put it at around $34m each.

The executive adds that Wuhu Xinlian has already secured refund guarantees for all nine kamsarmaxes on order. It is scheduled to start construction of the first vessel in August.

Bertling's order is significant as it marks the German owner's entry into the kamsarmax sector. The company operates a breakbulk service with a fleet of 12 open-hatch ships of 36,000-dwt in the water.