Chinese and South Korean shipyards have signed contracts for the construction of 36 container ships

In January, Chinese and South Korean shipyards received orders for the construction of 36 container ships with a total cost of 7.6 billion US dollars.
Container ships accounted for almost half of all orders placed during the month, both in value and in gross tonnage.

These figures indicate that the activity of operators in placing orders for the construction of new tonnage has increased. According to the January Alphaliner bulletin, a total of 16 container ships with a total capacity of 144 thousand TEU were ordered in December, 33 vessels (76 thousand TEU) in November, and 14 units (107 thousand TEU) in October.

Three weeks ago, Maersk exercised an option to build four 16-thousand ships in addition to its recent order for eight vessels at the South Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

A subsidiary of the Chinese state Shipbuilding Corporation Dalian Shipbuilding Industry announced last week the conclusion of a contract with a "well-known European shipowner" (presumably MSC) for the construction of six dual-fuel container ships. Singapore-based PIL has ordered two container ships - the first order in seven years - from Jiangnan Shipyard, also part of CSSC.