Seaspan Corporation is making waves again in the container shipping market, announcing a 12-ship newbuilding deal in China, reports Splash 247. Each vessel will carry 9,000 TEU, further strengthening the company’s growing pipeline of container ships.
The ships are set to be constructed at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a part of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), with deliveries expected to start in 2028. This move underscores Seaspan’s ongoing strategy of securing tonnage at Chinese yards, cementing its position as one of the most active private buyers of boxships from state-owned builders.
Seaspan’s track record at Hudong-Zhonghua is impressive: in 2021 it ordered three 15,500 TEU vessels, followed by six 13,600 TEU ships in 2023 slated for delivery between 2026 and 2028. Earlier this year, the company also signed a letter of intent for six methanol-ready 8,300 TEU ships, reportedly for COSCO.
In addition, Seaspan confirmed in April that Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) will build six 11,400 TEU vessels, each priced at $127 million, with deliveries starting in 2027.
With a fleet of over 180 ships in operation and more than 40 newbuilds on order, the world’s largest boxship lessor continues to expand aggressively. Interestingly, the latest contract was concluded in renminbi, with ICBC Financial Leasing supporting the project. The new vessels, costing over $100 million each, will be delivered conventionally fueled but with dual-fuel readiness for future flexibility.
Seaspan’s relentless expansion highlights the company’s strategy to stay ahead in a competitive shipping market, ready to meet the growing global demand for containerized trade.
Picture: Seaspancorp
