The first container ship order for 2025 was released, and it was still undertaken by a Chinese shipyard. Following closely, a series of container ship orders are under negotiation and are expected to be finalized in the next few weeks.
Shipbroker MB Shipbrokers (formerly Maersk Brokerage) has reported that German shipowner Elbdeich Reederei has once again chosen a Chinese shipyard to expand its fleet. Elbdeich is said to have ordered two 1,900 TEU feeder container ships from CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding at a unit price of about $32.2 million, with two options included in the contract.
The two new ships will be conventionally fuel-powered and are expected to be delivered in early 2027.
Elbdeich Reederei has already placed several orders with Huangpu Wenchong. It is reported that back in October 2023, this shipowner and Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding signed a contract for 2+2 1,250 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ships on long term charter to the Danish Unifeeder Group. In early 2024, 2 option ships come into effect.
It is understood that the previously signed methanol dual-fuel container ship is developed and designed by Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute (SDARI). With a length of 148 meters, a breadth of 27.2 meters and a deadweight of 14,210 tons, the ship is equipped with an shaft generator and meets the emission requirements of the International Maritime Organization Tier III.
So far, according to public information, Elbdeich Reederei has placed an order for 6 feeder container ships at Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding. However, unlike the previous methanol fuel, the shipowner chose conventional fuel for the latest two ships, and its fuel selection strategy is worthy of attention.
The past four years have seen a boom in container ship orders, with new container ship orders for 2024 reaching 4.4 million TEU, the second highest level ever. Most of these orders were undertaken by Chinese shipyards. Data shows that Chinese shipyards account for 72% of the current global 8.3 million TEU hand-held orders, while South Korean and Japanese shipyards account for 22% and 5% respectively.
The boom in container ship orders appears to be continuing in early 2025, with MB Shipbrokers reporting that a European liner has approached Chinese and Korean shipyards with plans to build a series of 18,000 TEU container ships. In addition, 2-3 more large vessel projects will be confirmed in the coming weeks.