Alphaliner is reporting that Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Hapag-Lloyd are close to finalising big orders in Asia as the record global container orderbook nears 10m teu.
Singapore-based, Japanese-owned ONE is in discussions with HD Hyundai in South Korea for up to twelve 16,000 teu ships, in a deal estimated to be worth $2.6bn, while Hapag-Lloyd is in discussions with a number of yards for up to twelve 12,000 to 13,000 teu ships and eight 16,000 teu vessels.
Alphaliner reports that Hapag-Lloyd has been shocked at the “outrageous” prices being quoted by South Korea’s big three shipyards in the wake of the US bid to charge Chinese-linked tonnage hiked port fees when calling at American ports.
Other carriers are in the market for megamax 24,000 teu tonnage with Alphaliner reporting in its latest weekly report: “Despite a record-breaking vessel orderbook that is creeping up to 10.0 Mteu, third-party owners and carriers alike are still eager to extend their newbuilding pipeline.”