China’s Taiwanese liner companies have recently been keen to order container ships from mainland shipyards. Following Evergreen Marine’s order for six 2,400 TEU methanol dual-fuel powered feeder container ships from CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, another Taiwan-based liner operator, TS Lines, has been disclosed to have signed a letter of intent with a mainland shipyard for the construction of container ships.
According to Splash247, Taiwan-based shipping company TS Lines has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) for the construction of up to 8 container ships in 2 types, including 2+2 14,000 TEU container ships and 2+2 8,000 TEU container ships.
There has been no official response from the two sides to the order, but according to the shipbroker, the cost of the 14,000 TEU container ships is $145 million each, and the cost of the 8,000 TEU container ships is $89 million each. If all the option orders take effect, the total value of the above 8 new ships will be $936 million ( about RMB 6.774 billion).
It is reported that TS Lines’ last order dates back to 2021, when the company placed an additional order for two 2,900 TEU container ships from Mawei Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Fujian Shipbuilding, bringing its order for the same type of ships from Mawei Shipbuilding to eight units, with delivery to take place one after another in 2023. In the same year, TS Lines also ordered six 1,100 TEU container ships from Mawei Shipbuilding.
This is not the first time for TS Lines and SWS to cooperate, as early as July 6 and December 17, 2021, the two parties have signed contract for a total of six 7,000 TEU container ships, which are now under construction. On April 30, 2024, SWS signed and delivered to TS Lines the third ship in the series of 7,000 TEU container ships, “TS HONGKONG”, and the other two are “TS KEELUNG” and “TS SHANGHAI”, respectively.
Founded in March 2001, TS Lines is the 21st largest liner company in the world, according to shipping analyst Alphaliner. As of June 30, 2022, the company operates 41 routes and services to 16 countries and regions.