News / More new box ships ordered, but few 2028 delivery slots are left

Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard –credit Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard

Tonnage providers have inked even more containership newbuildings this week, as charter rates remain elevated.

George Economou’s TMS Group has returned to China’s Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard for more newbuildings – eight 11,400 teu ships, with options for two more.

The eight firm orders, at $140m each, will be delivered in 2028.

This adds to TMS’s order for 10 similar ships at the shipyard early this year, against a 12-year charter to Zim Line, which will pay $2.3bn in charter hire to TMS over the period, with purchase options at the end of the charter.

Idan Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping has ordered four 6,000 teu ships at Hengli Heavy Industry Group in China, against long-term charter contracts. Priced at $79m each, the ships will be delivered between late 2027 and 2028. The identity of the liners fixing the ships has not been revealed, but Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk are reportedly in negotiations.

Zodiac Maritime, owned by Idan Ofer’s brother, Eyal, has ordered six 9,000 teu ships from China’s Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry. Costing $100m each, they will be delivered in 2028. It is not known which shipping line will charter the ships.

Greek tonnage provider Alpha Bulkers joins a league of compatriot peers that have ventured into the container segment this year. It has ordered 11 box ships: four of 4,500 teu from CIMC Raffles; four of 3,100 teu ships from Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Guangdong; and three 1,900 teu Bangkokmax vessels from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. All are expected to be delivered from 2028.

Alphaliner said newbuilding prices were around $30m for Bangkokmax ships, $45m for 3,100 teu vessels and $57m-$59m for those of 4,500 teu.

MB Shipbrokers noted that shipowners were vying to secure construction slots with 2028 delivery, adding: “We expect 2028 will soon be sold out – if not already. The recent surge in orders and interest for crude tankers in South Korea only created increased pressure on the already limited supply of newbuilding slots for tonnage at/above 9,000 teu.”