PARIS - Cathay Pacific is close to placing an order for Boeing 777-8F freighters as the Hong Kong carrier embarks on the partial renewal of a fleet of 747 cargo jets, industry sources said on Monday.

The selection follows a competition for around half a dozen aircraft between the cargo version of Boeing's 777X jetliner family and the Airbus A350F freighter, they said.

A Boeing spokesperson declined to comment. Cathay Pacific did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)