The latest containership orders highlight continued interest in feeder vessels, even as shipowners continue to invest in larger vessel classes.
According to the latest DynaLiners Monthly report, shipowners placed 37 firm containership orders across vessel sizes ranging from 900 TEU to 6,200 TEU. In addition, they secured options for 13 more vessels, potentially lifting the total orderbook to 50 ships.
While larger vessels account for a significant share of the new capacity, the latest figures also show sustained activity in the feeder and regional segments.
Large containership orders remain a key part of the market
Several owners focused on vessels in the 6,000 TEU range.
Global Ship Lease ordered eight 6,200 TEU vessels at Taizhou Sanfu Ship. Likewise, CMA CGM contracted eight 6,000 TEU ships at Hengli Shipbuilding. Meanwhile, Shishi Yongyi Shipping placed an order for two 6,100 TEU vessels at Taizhou Jianxing HI.
Together, these three contracts account for 18 firm orders.
Feeder vessel orders maintain strong presence
At the same time, the latest containership orders feeder activity reveals continued investment in smaller vessel classes.
MTT Shipping ordered two 3,300 TEU vessels at Wuhu Shipyard. In addition, Baizhou Shipping contracted two 2,700 TEU ships at Zhejiang Tenglong and secured options for two additional vessels.
Further activity emerged in the 1,900 TEU segment. Erasmus ordered two vessels at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong and added options for two more units. Likewise, Ningbo Ocean ordered four 1,900 TEU ships at Wuching Shipbuilding and secured options for two additional vessels. Synelysia also contracted four 1,900 TEU vessels at Xinle Shipyard together with options for four more ships.
Shipowners concentrate options in smaller vessel segments
Shipowners placed 19 firm orders for vessels of up to 3,300 TEU. More importantly, they attached all 13 reported options to vessels in the feeder and regional segments.
Baizhou Shipping, Erasmus, Ningbo Ocean, Synelysia and Emarat Maritime account for all reported options in the latest orderbook. As a result, the number of feeder and regional vessels could increase from 19 firm orders to 32 vessels if owners exercise every option.
Therefore, the option activity points to continued confidence in smaller vessel classes.
900 TEU vessels remain part of fleet renewal plans
The smallest vessels in the latest order list belong to the 900 TEU category.
Emarat Maritime ordered three 900 TEU vessels at Guangji Xinneng SB and secured options for three more ships. In addition, Eitzen Group contracted two 900 TEU vessels at Zhejiang Dongpeng.
Although these vessels represent the smallest class in the report, the orders confirm that shipowners continue to include feeder vessels in their fleet renewal strategies.
Chinese shipyards secure every reported contract
Another clear trend emerges from the shipbuilding side.
Chinese yards secured every containership order reported by DynaLiners Monthly. The list includes Taizhou Sanfu Ship, Taizhou Jianxing HI, Hengli Shipbuilding, Wuhu Shipyard, Zhejiang Tenglong, CSSC Huangpu Wenchong, Wuching Shipbuilding, Xinle Shipyard, Guangji Xinneng SB and Zhejiang Dongpeng.
Consequently, Chinese builders continue to dominate new containership contracting activity across both large and small vessel segments.
Balanced investment across vessel classes
The latest containership orders do not suggest that shipowners are shifting exclusively toward feeder vessels. Instead, the data points to a balanced investment approach.
On one hand, owners ordered 18 vessels in the 6,000 TEU segment. On the other hand, they placed 19 firm orders for vessels of up to 3,300 TEU and attached all 13 reported options to smaller vessel classes.
As a result, its clear that the feeder vessels remain an important component of containership fleet renewal, alongside continued investment in larger ships.
