Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has stepped up its containership ordering drive with up to 11 newbuilds booked at China’s New Times Shipbuilding.
Brokers report the Idan Ofer-controlled shipowner, with one of the largest newbuilding programmes in the industry, has contracted four 18,000 teu vessels — likely options called following eight firm vessels booked earlier this year.
The quartet, priced at more than $200m each, will be LNG dual-fuelled, with deliveries set for 2027 and 2028. Industry sources suggest the newbuilds are backed by charters with French liner CMA CGM.
In addition to the 18,000 teu series, Splash has been told that EPS has lined up seven 8,400 teu newbuilds at the same yard. The order covers four firm ships at about $130m each and three optional newbuilds with similar delivery timeframes as their larger counterparts.
Jiangsu-based New Times is also set to firm up orders from Danish carrier Maersk for 16,000 teu newbuilds costing about $220m, according to shipbuilding sources. The yard has taken on several boxship projects in recent months from owners including John Fredriksen’s SFL Corporation, Capital Maritime and Seaspan.