Netherlands-based shipyard Ferus Smit has received an order to build four small handy bulkers for Irish shipping company Arklow Shipping, showed data provided by VesselsValue.

Featuring 16,500dwt each, two of the new bulkers are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2018, while the remaining two 10,074 gross ton vessel would join their owner in May and November 2019, respectively.

The financial details of the contract were not disclosed, however. VesselsValue informed that the market value of the ships is around US$7.5m a piece.

The eco bulk carriers will measure a length of 149.5 meters and a width of 19.4 meters.

Arklow Shipping currently operates a fleet of 43 general cargo vessels and two bulkers.

With the latest order, the company has increased its newbuildings orderbook at Ferus Smit to 12 vessels, eight of which are 5,200dwt general cargo ships, according to VesselsValue data.