COSCO Shipping Lines has placed orders for 18 new container vessels, reinforcing its long-term fleet expansion strategy amid evolving global trade patterns and tightening environmental regulations.
The newbuilds, to be constructed at Chinese shipyards, will add significant capacity to COSCO’s container fleet and are expected to be delivered in phases over the next few years. While vessel sizes and contract values were not fully disclosed, industry sources indicate the order includes fuel-efficient, next-generation ships designed to meet stricter emissions standards.
COSCO said the investment reflects its focus on modernising tonnage, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening service reliability across major east–west and intra-Asia trade lanes. The vessels are expected to feature advanced energy-saving technologies and will be capable of running on alternative fuels, supporting the group’s decarbonisation roadmap.
Analysts note that the order comes as carriers continue to balance capacity growth with sustainability goals, replacing older ships while positioning for long-term demand recovery. COSCO has been actively renewing its fleet to comply with the IMO’s carbon intensity and emissions regulations.
The move also underscores Chinese carriers’ confidence in domestic shipbuilding, as major shipping groups increasingly turn to local yards amid strong orderbooks and global capacity constraints.
Once delivered, the vessels will enhance COSCO’s competitiveness on key global routes, while supporting China’s broader ambitions to strengthen its role in maritime trade and logistics supply chains.