Greek shipowner Minerva Dry has placed an order for four 6,000 TEU container vessels at China's Hengli Heavy Industries, marking a significant step-up in its containership capacity, according to Splash247.
Fleet Expansion Details
The conventionally fuelled quartet is scheduled for delivery in 2028 from the Dalian yard. No price was disclosed, but shipbroking sources cited by Splash247 price comparable ships at around $80 million each, putting the deal at roughly $320 million. The order adds to Minerva's growing presence in the container sector, which it entered in 2023.
Minerva currently operates close to 10 container ships with capacities ranging from about 1,760 TEU to 2,400 TEU. The company already has five 3,100 TEU vessels and four 1,800 TEU feeders under construction at three Chinese yards, Splash247 reported. With the Hengli quartet, Minerva's containership orderbook now stands at 13 vessels.
The Andreas Martinos-led owner's previous newbuildings at Hengli include aframax, LR2 and suezmax tankers for the wider Minerva group, but the latest order is the first for container ships at this yard.
Minerva Container Fleet and Orderbook Summary
| Vessel Type | Size (TEU) | Status | Quantity | Yard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Existing fleet | 1,760–2,400 | Operating | ~10 | Various |
| Under construction | 3,100 | On order | 5 | Three Chinese yards |
| Under construction | 1,800 | On order | 4 | Three Chinese yards |
| New order | 6,000 | On order | 4 | Hengli Heavy Industries (Dalian) |
Investment Scale
Combined with earlier feeder orders and the new 6,000 TEU quartet, Minerva's total investment in the container segment is approaching $1 billion, according to the shipbroking sources. The group has built up a modern secondhand fleet since entering the sector in 2023.
Broader Market Activity
In a separate development, Eastern Pacific Shipping has been linked to seven additional 6,000 TEU newbuildings at Hengli Heavy Industries. Chinese industry reports cited by Splash247 said these extra vessels would bring Eastern Pacific's series at the yard to 15, with deliveries expected by 2028.
Watch List
- Eastern Pacific Shipping's additional orders: The seven extra 6,000 TEU ships at Hengli could further increase mid-sized container tonnage supply.
- Delivery timeline: The four Minerva vessels are slated for 2028, while the five 3,100 TEU and four 1,800 TEU feeders under construction at other yards are expected earlier.
- Hengli's capacity: The yard's experience building tankers for Minerva may facilitate efficient construction of the new boxships.
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