Taiwanese liner operator TS Lines has enhanced its fleet again with more newbuilding orders at Chinese shipyards.
The company’s chairman, Chen Te-sheng announced at a media briefing today (23 December) that it has ordered two more 7,000 TEU ships from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, after commissioning four similar vessels in May.
Furthermore, TS Lines has returned to Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding for two more 2,900 TEU vessels, after the intra-Asia carrier made an initial order for four such boxships in September. Additionally, the company has eight 1,100 TEU ships on order at Fujian Mawei.
The newbuildings price was not disclosed but 7,000 TEU new container ships are now assessed at US$85 million, while 2,900 TEU newbuildings are now priced around US$44 million.
The vessels announced today are scheduled for delivery in 2023, for the Shanghai Waigaoqiao orders, and 2024 for the Fujian Mawei orders.
Currently, TS Lines has a total capacity of 112,000 TEU, with 52 ships assigned to 44 trade routes. After purchasing nine ships this year, the company’s owned fleet now stands at 26 ships.
TS Lines has the highest orderbook-to-fleet ratio among all liner operators, at nearly 90%. The box carrier, which had been operating mainly with chartered ships, is increasing its owned fleet to negate rising charter costs.
TS Lines is planning a public listing in Hong Kong in 2022 and has also acquired 97,300 containers this year, of which 36% were purchased. The company now has a fleet of 285,000 boxes.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
