Following Chartworld, of the Kollakis family, which recently added four more 3,100 TEU vessels to its orderbook, yet another Greek shipowner is seeking a “good” Chinese berth for the construction of new feeders of the same category.
The case is that of Mr. Petros Pappas, who through his private group company, Oceanbulk, is reportedly in negotiations with the Chinese shipyard Zhoushan Changhong for the construction of two new 3,100 TEU feeder vessels.
Regarding Chartworld, it is reported to have finalized an order for 4+4 3,100 TEU vessels at the Chinese shipyard Yangzhou Guoyu, with scheduled delivery in 2028.
The new vessels will be added to a recent order by the Greek company for 2+2 vessels of similar size from the New Dayang Shipbuilding shipyard, which are also expected to be delivered in 2028. The value of each vessel is estimated at approximately $42 million.
The above moves are part of a broader trend of increased activity in the 3,000 TEU vessel category, with new orders placed this year by companies such as Arkas, Costamare, of Kostis Konstantakopoulos interests, Interasia Line, Ciner Group, Minerva Marine, of Andreas Martinos interests, Eastern Pacific Shipping and XT Shipping, among others.
Meanwhile, Alberta Shipmanagement, of Greek interests, of the Inglesis family -which has been active until now in tankers and dry bulk carriers-, is entering the container ship sector for the first time with an order for 2 + 2 Bangkokmax type vessels with a capacity of 1,900 TEUs from CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong. The new vessels are expected to be delivered in early 2027.
Similarly, Latsco, of the Latsis family, also recently entered the same sector, focusing on the acquisition of smaller vessels, from 1,700 to 3,000 TEUs.
Furthermore, the Capital Group, of Evangelos Marinakis interests, has been reported to be linked with two more container carrier vessels at South Korean shipyards.
In fact, as Tradewinds has written, the Greek shipping group had ordered another eight Chittagongmax type feeders, 2,800 TEUs, last April.
The ships will be equipped with scrubbers and will be designed with auxiliary power systems that will allow the installation of CO2 capture technology.
But also Athenian Sea Carriers, of the Kyriakou family, which traditionally manages tankers, appears to be considering an opening into the market of these ships.
The company, according to an Alphaliner report, appears to be close to signing an agreement for the construction of up to four containerships, with a capacity of 3,000 TEUs, in China.
According to the report, the company is in discussions with the Jinglu Shipyard for two firm orders and two options.
The company is in a phase of full fleet renewal, as it gradually sold all its large tankers and is currently building 10 product and chemical tankers, with a capacity of 18,500 dwt, at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry shipyard in China, with deliveries from July 2025 to January 2027.
But also the Goldenport Group, of the Dragnis family, is “getting back” as it seems into containerships and specifically into feeders.
The company, which traditionally manages tankers, recently made an investment in support vessels, and now, according to chartering broker sources, purchased the newly built (2023) Norderney with a carrying capacity of 1,900 TEUs.
Meanwhile, the German Peter Doehle completed an order for four 2,900 TEU ships at the Guangzhou Wenchong shipyard, with delivery between the first quarter of 2027 and the second quarter of 2028.
The ships will have Chittagongmax dimensions and will be equipped with a scrubber, while their future employment has not yet been confirmed.
This new contract further strengthens the Doehle Group’s orderbook, which already includes four 14,170 TEU ships ordered in 2024 from the Chinese shipyard Jiangnan Changxing (Hudong), with scheduled delivery in 2026-2027.
