A new wave of containership orders is covering vessel sizes from 1,800 TEU to 22,000 TEU, with several shipowners securing newbuilding capacity for delivery from 2028 onward. The latest orders highlight continued fleet expansion across both feeder and large mainline vessel segments.
COSCO Shipping Holdings accounts for the largest commitment, ordering 18 containerships with combined capacity of about 283,000 TEU in deals worth approximately US$3 billion. The order includes 12 LNG dual-fuel vessels of 22,000 TEU and six 3,200 TEU ships.
The 22,000-TEU vessels will be built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, with deliveries scheduled between 2028 and 2030. The six 3,200-TEU ships will be constructed by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding and delivered during 2028-29.
Elsewhere, German owner Peter Döhle Schiffahrts has ordered two 14,000-TEU containerships from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, while Samsung Heavy Industries has secured a contract for two 13,000-TEU vessels worth about US$323 million. The latter ships will use conventional fuel and be fitted with scrubbers.
The broad range of new orders reflects continued investment in fleet renewal and capacity across different market segments, from smaller vessels serving regional and feeder networks to ultra-large ships deployed on major east-west trades.