Chinese private shipbuilder Yangzijiang Shipbuilding has reportedly secured an order from a major liner for 12 container ships of around 24,000 TEU each, according to shipbroker MB Shipbrokers. The delivery schedule and contract value have not been disclosed.
Based on Clarkson’s early-September newbuild pricing of about US$254 million per vessel for 22,000–24,000 TEU ships, the order could be worth approximately US$3 billion.
With many Chinese yards already booked through 2029 and new slots extending into 2030–31, the vessels are likely to be delivered around 2030. Yangzijiang’s existing orderbook also extends to 2030.
If confirmed, the contract would mark Yangzijiang’s first 24,000 TEU-class order since 2023, when CMA CGM ordered ten LNG dual-fuel vessels. The first two ships from that series, CMA CGM Notre Dame and CMA CGM Pantheon, were delivered in May and July 2026.
The reported order comes amid renewed interest in large containerships, with several major liners preparing fleet renewal programmes focused on Chinese shipyards, signalling that demand for ultra-large container ships remains strong.