K Line is looking at opportunities to acquire ultra-large containerships in a move that could see the Japanese shipping giant become the final CKYH member to join the mega-ship club.
A Tokyo-based source said K Line was in talks to build five ultra-large boxships at Imabari Shipbuilding in a newbuilding or a lease deal.
Meanwhile, United Arab Shipping Co (UASC) has approached a number of shipyards about a huge shipbuilding order that could include vessels of up to 18,000teu.
Talks are at a very early stage, according to market sources, with no firm decision likely before the second quarter.
But if the line does decide to order ships with a nominal capacity of 18,000teu, it would be the only one to have followed Maersk Line, which will take delivery of the first of its Triple-E ships this year.
According to brokers, when K Line’s fellow CKYH alliance member Yang Ming tendered to charter five 14,000teu containerships with options for five more from 2015, the Taiwanese liner’s plan was to control five ships itself while the optional ones would be controlled by fellow alliance member K Line.
Therefore, if K Line is able to complete its own negotiations, it becomes doubtful whether Yang Ming would still need to attach the options to its deal, expected to be concluded by the end of February.
Yang Ming earlier said the optional vessels were for an “alliance requirement”, but did not immediately reply to inquiries. K Line declined to comment.
 

-- Source from Irish Trucker