Seaspan is expanding beyond its traditional containership business, placing its first order in the multipurpose (MPP) segment with a series of open-hatch vessels.
The company has contracted China’s New Dayang Shipbuilding to build four 65,200 dwt vessels, with deliveries scheduled for 2029. The ships will be equipped with gantry cranes and box-shaped cargo holds, enabling flexible handling of project cargo, breakbulk, and other non-containerised shipments.
The design is expected to enhance both loading efficiency and manoeuvrability, reflecting growing demand for versatile tonnage amid shifting global trade patterns.
The move marks another step in Seaspan’s broader diversification strategy. While traditionally focused on containership leasing, the company has been actively expanding into adjacent segments in recent years.
With a fleet of more than 180 vessels and over 50 newbuildings on order, Seaspan has been leveraging its scale to enter new markets. Since late 2023, it has entered the car carrier segment through a partnership with Hyundai Glovis, and has also signalled plans to move into the ethane carrier market.
New Dayang Shipbuilding, part of Sumec Group, said the project could help revive domestic construction of open-hatch vessels in China – a segment that has seen limited activity for decades.
The order reflects a broader industry shift towards multipurpose tonnage, as operators seek greater flexibility and efficiency in increasingly complex logistics chains.
