Several container shipping companies and non-operating owners have recently placed newbuilding orders across a wide range of vessel sizes, reflecting continued fleet investment despite market uncertainty.
Evergreen has signed contracts for 23 containership newbuildings with a combined capacity of 90,900 TEU. The order includes 16 vessels of 3,100 TEU to be constructed by Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding and seven vessels of 5,900 TEU to be built by Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding.
MSC has finalised an order for six vessels of 11,400 TEU, with four additional options, at Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard. The ships are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and will be equipped with LNG dual-fuel propulsion.
Zhonggu Logistics has contracted four vessels of 6,000 TEU, with two options, at Hengli Heavy Industry. The contract value is estimated at between USD 489 million and USD 576 million, with deliveries running through 2028.
Ningbo Ocean has ordered an additional four scrubber-fitted vessels of 4,300 TEU from Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard. Deliveries are planned for 2028, with each vessel costing USD 61 million.
Vietnamese domestic operator Truong Hai has placed an order for two ships of 1,900 TEU at Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard. The vessels are due for delivery in 2028 and are priced at USD 35 million each.
Separately, non-operating owner Costamare is understood to be close to ordering 12 newbuildings of 9,200 TEU from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, with Cosco Shipping Leasing said to be behind the transaction.
The series of orders highlights continued confidence in medium- and long-term container trade demand, particularly in the mid-size and regional vessel segments.
