On June 18, CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, together with China Shipbuilding Trading, successfully signed contracts with three domestic and international shipowners, securing construction orders for a total of 13 containerships of 5,000 TEU and above. The orders comprise three 5,300 TEU vessels, four 6,200 TEU vessels, and six 6,400 TEU containerships.

The 5,300 TEU vessel is a benchmark product from Huangpu Wenchong's independently developed "Swan" series of medium-sized containerships. The ship has an overall length of 235 metres and a moulded breadth of 37.5 metres, with a deadweight of approximately 71,500 tonnes. The hull design has undergone multiple rounds of hull line optimisation, integrated design of high-efficiency propeller and rudder systems together with energy-saving devices, and meticulous overall layout planning, delivering excellent container utilisation and fuel efficiency performance.

According to shipbroking and market sources, the three 5,300 TEU vessels have been ordered by Jiangsu Ocean Shipping. Clarksons data shows that Jiangsu Ocean Shipping currently has four 3,000 TEU newbuildings on order at Jiangsu Soho Venture Shipbuilding, with an additional six 1,900 TEU vessels under construction at Huangpu Wenchong. The company is also advancing newbuilding programmes for Ultramax and Kamsarmax bulk carriers. According to Clarksons data, including vessels under construction, Jiangsu Ocean Shipping's total fleet numbers approximately 53 vessels.

The 6,200 TEU containerships have been designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute, while the 6,400 TEU containerships were developed by the 708th Research Institute of CSSC. Both vessel types comply with the International Maritime Organization's Energy Efficiency Design Index Phase III standards. Through refined hull design optimisation, they boast excellent low fuel consumption and low carbon emission advantages, precisely tailored to the operational demands of various trade routes.

In a separate transaction, Global Ship Lease is reported to have placed an order for four 6,200 TEU containerships. Shipbrokers indicate that these vessels form part of a 10-ship newbuilding order announced by the US-listed owner earlier this month. At that time, the company stated it had contracted a series of medium-sized, high reefer capacity, wide-beam, latest-generation containerships for a total consideration of approximately US$917 million, but did not disclose the building yard or specific vessel dimensions. The Greek owner currently operates a fleet of 71 vessels with a TEU-weighted average age of 18.2 years.

In another development, Peter Döhle is reportedly returning to the market with an order for six 6,400 TEU containerships. The company has been one of the most active non-operating owners in the newbuilding market in recent years. Clarksons data shows that Peter Döhle currently has three 14,170 TEU newbuildings on order at Hudong-Zhonghua, four 2,900 TEU vessels at Huangpu Wenchong, and two 3,100 TEU vessels at Chengxi Shipyard. Its fleet spans both the containership and bulk carrier sectors, totalling approximately 70 vessels.

To date, Huangpu Wenchong's cumulative orderbook for medium-sized containerships of 5,000 TEU and above has reached 39 vessels, establishing a significant advantage in batch construction within the global medium-sized containership segment.