News / CMA CGM expands 6,000-teu box fleet with new orders and charters

© Mariusz Bugno

Containership newbuilding orders this week have been dominated by 6,000 teu-plus ships, but interest in feeder vessels remained strong.

French line CMA CGM added to its orderbook of 6,000 teu ships, after contracting eight at Hengli Heavy Industries for delivery in 2028.

Alphaliner notes CMA CGM already operates six ships of this type, two owned and four chartered from Belgian tonnage provider CMB.Tech.

Eastern Pacific Shipping has ordered a 6,000 teu pair, also from Hengli, reportedly for charter to CMA CGM, adding to four ordered earlier, also to be fixed to the French line.

Global Ship Lease has confirmed orders for ten 6,200 teu ships at Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering for delivery between 2028 and 2030. It is likely that GSL has a charter lined up, although details have not been released.

The price of a 6,000 teu ship is around $90m, while feeder vessels in the 1,100 teu to 1,900 teu bracket cost between $28m and $35m.

Constantine Baack, boss of non-operating shipowner MPC Container Ships, which specialises in smaller vessels, said during the recent Q1 earnings call that high oil prices and a relatively low orderbook were encouraging investment in new ships.

The orderbook-to-fleet ratio of feeder vessels is just 18% of the active fleet, and Linerlytica has reported a number of new feeder vessel orders.

Hong Kong-registered Synelysia ordered four 1,900 teu ships at Zhejiang Xinle Shipbuilding, reportedly for delivery in 2028; Greek owner Euroseas has exercised options for two more 1,781 teu ships at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific; and two 1,100 teu ships were ordered by an unknown company at Yangzi Hongyuan Shipbuilding.

“While overall contracting activity remains moderate, we continue to see firm projects in both the mid-size and larger segments, with a number of orders expected to firm up before the summer holidays,” reported MB Shipbrokers.