Greek shipowner Minerva Dry has once again chosen Hengli Heavy Industry, placing an order for 2+2 3100TEU container ships.
This order appeared in the 46 new ship orders for July disclosed by Hengli Heavy Industry on the evening of August 2. At that time, Hengli Heavy Industry did not disclose the specific number ordered, only stating that Minerva had ordered this batch of 3100TEU container ships. This vessel type was independently developed and designed by Hengli Heavy Industry, specifically designed for regional routes and feeder fleet renewal, fully meeting the current shipping market’s demand for green and intelligent medium-sized container ships.
It is understood that the new ships are scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2028, with a unit price of approximately $45.5 million. After the optional orders are confirmed and take effect, the total amount for all four vessels will be approximately $182 million (approximately RMB 1.229 billion).
For reference, Clarksons data shows that the current newbuilding price for a 3000-3100TEU container ship is approximately $47 million, up about 4% from $45 million in the same period last year.
In addition to the 3100TEU container ships, Minerva has also signed contracts with Hengli Heavy Industry for the construction of four 6000TEU container ships, scheduled for delivery between April and August 2028, with hull numbers 41, 42, 49, and 50 respectively. This is also the largest container ship order in Minerva’s history.
With the latest orders confirmed, Minerva has placed orders for as many as 17 container ships at Chinese shipyards. After all new vessels are delivered, its container fleet will expand to 26 vessels.
It is understood that Minerva Dry was established in 2020 and is the dry bulk and container ship operating platform under Greek shipowner Andreas Martinos, initially focusing on dry bulk transportation business. In 2023, the company formally entered this market by acquiring nine modern feeder container ships. In 2025, it placed orders for nine 1800TEU to 3000TEU-class feeder container ships at Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Shipyard, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, and Huanghai Shipbuilding respectively.
It is worth mentioning that in addition to the container ship business, Andreas Martinos’ tanker company Minerva Marine currently has multiple Suezmax tankers and LR2 product tankers under construction at Hengli Heavy Industry, with cooperation between the two sides continuing to deepen.
The latest orders have further consolidated Hengli Heavy Industry’s leading position in the Greek shipowner market. In recent years, Greek shipowners have become one of Hengli Heavy Industry’s most important international customer groups. Over the past three years, Greek shipowners have placed orders for approximately 189 new ships at Hengli Heavy Industry, with a total value of approximately $13.8 billion (approximately RMB 93.199 billion).
Since entering 2026, new ship orders from Greek shipowners at Chinese shipyards have continued to grow. Data shows that as of now, of the new ships ordered by Greek shipowners at Chinese shipyards this year, approximately 37% are being built by Hengli Heavy Industry.
At the same time, Hengli Heavy Industry’s order intake momentum remains strong. In the first seven months of this year, the company accumulated 253 new ship orders, ranking first among global single shipyards, with vessel types covering the full range of container, bulk, oil, and gas vessels. Since commencing production, Hengli Heavy Industry has accumulated over 500 new ship orders, becoming one of the fastest-developing shipyards in the global shipbuilding industry.
According to Clarksons data, as of now Hengli Heavy Industry’s orderbook totals 365 vessels, 61.96 million deadweight tons, and 13.59 million CGT, ranking first among global single shipyards by CGT, including 135 tankers, 113 bulk carriers, 105 container ships, and 12 VLACs, with delivery slots extending to 2030.
