Turkish box carrier Arkas Line has ordered four 4,300 TEU container ships at China’s CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
Arkas said the total contract value is US$240 million and the ships are expected to be delivered between February and August 2028.
The company said, “Built as an eco-designed new generation ship, the ships will support Arkas’ sustainability strategy by reducing carbon emissions thanks to their fuel performance measurement system as well as their capacity.”
It is the first time in nearly eight years that Arkas has ordered a newbuilding. In October 2016, Arkas commissioned four 3,158 TEU ships at Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard; these vessels have since been sold.
In January, Arkas and its compatriot peer, Turkon, joined Hapag-Lloyd’s weekly Mediterranean – US East Coast USX service.
Alphaliner’s report today (10 April) noted that in June 2022, Turkon had ordered a 4,000 TEU pair at its affiliated shipbuilder, Sedef Shipyard, and these ships are expected to be assigned to the USX service.
Alphaliner said, “The new Arkas ships could be earmarked for the same route and they will be the largest in the carrier’s fleet. The North Europe-West Africa trade, where Arkas Line is also partnering with Hapag-Lloyd, could be another potential trade for some of the new ships.”
Arkas, with its feedering unit EMES, is ranked 31st among box lines worldwide, operating 36 container vessels of 59,500 TEUs, including 31 owned ships.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
