The Greek group led by Andreas Martinos orders three container ships in China, marking a scale leap in the feeder segment and consolidating its diversification strategy
Athens – Minerva Dry, a Greek company part of the Minerva Marine group and led by Andreas Martinos, has taken a new strategic step in the container ship market, ordering three new 3,000 teu ships from the Chinese shipyard Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry. Deliveries are scheduled between 2027 and 2028. According to shipping industry sources, the slots of about 45 million dollars each were initially reserved for the Norwegian company Songa Box, linked to the shipowner Arne Blystad, but were freed up after the interruption of negotiations, paving the way for Minerva’s entry. Meanwhile, Songa Box is reportedly in negotiations with Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering for a new order of two firm units plus two optional ones with similar characteristics.
This new order represents a change of scale for Minerva Dry, which until now had focused on feeder units of about 1,800 teu. The company already has ongoing orders for four ships of this size at the Yangzijiang Shipbuilding and Huanghai Shipbuilding shipyards, with deliveries expected by 2028.
Having entered the container sector in 2022, Minerva has since diversified its fleet beyond the dry bulk sector, investing over 250 million dollars in the purchase of eight modern second-hand ships between 1,780 and 2,430 teu.
With this new order, the company clearly aims to strengthen its position in the 3,000 teu segment, a growing niche that is also attracting the interest of operators traditionally active in bulk and tankers, thanks to more stable returns and constant chartering demand in key regional trades.
