Hayfin Capital has recently entered the containership newbuilding market, selecting a Chinese shipyard with specialized expertise in this sector and further expanding its shipping investment portfolio.

According to reports, the company has placed an order with Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry for the construction of two 3,100 TEU containerships, with delivery expected in the first half of 2028. Greek shipbrokers estimate that current pricing for this vessel type at Chinese yards stands at approximately $45 million per unit.

Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry has been notably active in securing orders for this vessel type in recent months, with Minerva Dry and Yasa also rumored to have contracts in place at the yard.

Market dynamics indicate that Hayfin Capital continues to pursue opportunistic investments, targeting premium shipyards and projects offering relatively early delivery slots.

The company has already reached an agreement with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the construction of four 50,000 dwt MR2 product tankers, with deliveries scheduled to commence from the first quarter of 2028.

Its investments in the tanker sector appear to be ongoing. According to multiple shipping data platforms, Hayfin Capital is now listed as the owner of the 2015-built, 109,999 dwt Aframax tanker Sti Solidarity, which has been renamed GH Umeko. The company's in-house ship management platform, Greenheart Management, is now listed as the vessel's manager. The Sti Solidarity was previously sold by Scorpio Tankers for approximately $60 million.

Hayfin Capital also appears to be pursuing a diversification strategy across various shipping segments. Last year, the firm expanded its presence in the Capesize bulker market through the acquisition of secondhand tonnage from Enesel.

According to data from the Equasis database, Greenheart Management currently oversees a fleet of 16 vessels spanning tankers, bulk carriers, and containerships.

Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry is a large, modern, state-controlled shipbuilding and repair enterprise, with shipbuilding and offshore engineering equipment manufacturing as its principal business. The facility covers a total area of 1.8 million square meters and possesses an annual production capacity of 1 million dwt. Its infrastructure includes one 300,000-tonne dry dock; three floating docks with lifting capacities of 35,000 tonnes, 10,000 tonnes, and 5,000 tonnes respectively; and a total outfitting quay length of approximately 3,000 meters. The yard is fully equipped with specialized shipbuilding facilities, including 1,000-tonne and 500-tonne gantry cranes, and employs a workforce of over 5,000 personnel.

Rumors suggest that Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry is in discussions with EPS regarding an order for six Suezmax tankers. Should this order materialize, it would mark the first time the Shandong-based yard has undertaken the construction of this vessel type.