Polembros of Greece's latest order for four 205,000-dwt bulkers at Qidong Daoda Heavy Industry in China underlines the company's turn toward the dry-bulk sector.

Company advisor David Gare confirms the deal, which is Polembros's third newbuilding move since the end of last year and brings its spending on new ships close to $400m.

Gare also confirms earlier reports that the Greek owner booked two 180,000-dwt capesizes at South Korea's Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and two 81,000-dwt kamsarmaxes at SPP Shipbuilding for delivery in 2011.

Listings continue to exist that show the company with two capesize newbuildings at Jiangsu Eastern Jingjiang Shipyard but these orders were abandoned some time ago.

Polembros is said to have bagged a bargain for the capesize pair at Sungdong. They are said to be costing $50m each as the owner was willing to shell out as much as 70% of the contract price as a down payment.

With its orderbook now standing at eight vessels all in the dry sector, Polembros's focus is clearly moving in that direction.

"At the moment dry is the favoured route. Options are clearly left open to increase the tanker fleet but at the moment we feel [dry] is the way to go," Gare explained.