- Hong Kong-listed TS Lines has placed an order for four 5,300 TEU containerships at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
- Total investment amounts to $245 million, with deliveries planned between June and December 2028.
- The vessels will feature “super-eco” designs, meet IMO Tier III NOx requirements, and strengthen the carrier’s environmental and cost-efficiency profile.
Taiwanese container carrier TS Lines has signed contracts with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding for the construction of four 5,300 TEU containerships, each priced at $61.3 million. The vessels will be delivered between June and December 2028 and will incorporate the shipyard’s “super-eco” design, complying with the International Maritime Organization’s Tier III standards for NOx emissions, according to Lloyd’s List.
Relationship with the Shipyard and Existing Orders
TS Lines maintains a long-standing partnership with the Guangzhou-based yard. Market reports indicate the carrier may have contracted up to 10 conventional-fuel 5,000 TEU boxships from the same builder—five firm units for 2028 delivery and five optional units for 2028–2029. The company also has two 4,300 TEU containerships under construction at the yard for delivery in 2027.
Strategic Rationale
According to TS Lines, the new fuel-efficient vessels will reduce operating costs, minimize exposure to charter rate volatility, and meet tightening environmental regulations, enabling the company to capture market opportunities in the Asia-Pacific and other key trade lanes.
Financial Performance and Market Context
The order coincides with a period of strong financial results, as TS Lines forecasts net profit attributable to shareholders of $180–$200 million for the first half of 2025—a 220%–255% increase year on year—driven by higher freight rates and charter income.
Market data highlights an industry-wide shift toward mid-sized tonnage, with the second quarter of 2025 marking a rebound in sub-6,000 TEU orders after years of investment focus on larger vessels. In July alone, more than 60 containerships were ordered globally, most in the 1,800–4,500 TEU range.
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Source: Lloyd’s List
