Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) has bagged orders to build six 11,000 teu containerships for an unnamed European shipowner.

The newbuilding agreement was signed last week between SWS, the shipyard’s parent China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), and the shipowner.

SWS believed that the latest order win marks another step closer towards the construction of even larger containerships of 19,800 teu to 21,000 teu.

SWS had in 2013 clinched orders to build three 18,000 teu containerships for France’s CMA CGM. Back in January this year, the Export-Import Bank of China extended a loan of $312m to SWS for the construction of the three 18,000 teu containerships.

The construction of big ships in other segments like bulkers and tankers is not new to SWS, which has built capesizes and VLCCs. In containerships, the Chinese yard has delivered many vessels of 5,000-9,400 teu in capacity.