The expansion of Songa Box's feeder fleet through a multi-vessel order at a new Chinese shipyard signals continued investment in short-sea container capacity, potentially affecting feeder service availability and pricing on regional trade lanes.
According to Splash247, Arne Blystad-backed Songa Box has ordered two 1,300 teu containerships at Hubei Guangji Green Energy Shipbuilding in China, with options for four additional vessels. Industry sources cited by the report put the price at about $30m per ship, making the total value of the series up to around $180m if all options are exercised. Delivery dates and charter arrangements have not been disclosed.
Order Specifics
The vessels will be built to a design from the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute and classed by Korean Register. The yard stated the design incorporates an optimised hull, lighter construction, and a more efficient propulsion system, but did not disclose the fuel specification. This order is only the second newbuilding contract announced by Guangji this year.
Shipyard Profile
Hubei Guangji Green Energy Shipbuilding, located at Wuxue on the Yangtze River, is a state-backed yard being developed through an RMB3.5bn ($488m) shipbuilding project designed for annual output of up to 1m dwt. The facility has 10 building slipways and has targeted capacity of around 30 containerships or bulkers per year. It entered the export market in June with three firm 930 teu feeders and three options for Dubai's Emarat Maritime.
| Shipowner | Vessel Type | TEU | Firm | Options | Total Potential | Price per Ship | Yard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Songa Box | Feeder | 1,300 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ~$30m | Hubei Guangji Green Energy Shipbuilding |
| Emarat Maritime | Feeder | 930 | 3 | 3 | 6 | Not disclosed | Hubei Guangji Green Energy Shipbuilding |
Fleet Expansion
Songa Box currently operates 10 feeders ranging from 1,740 teu to 2,872 teu. The Blystad Group's fleet list also shows six 3,200 teu newbuildings, likely from Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering, scheduled for delivery during 2027 and 2028. Including the Guangji ships, Songa Box now has eight firm newbuildings, with options that could take its pipeline to 12 vessels.
Blystad established Songa Box after selling Songa Container and its 11 ships to MPC Container Ships for $210m in 2021. The new vehicle subsequently contracted three ships of around 1,800 teu at Huanghai Shipbuilding, one of which was sold to AD Ports subsidiary Safeen Feeders before delivery. More recently, Songa Box sold its 2007-built 1,732 teu Songa Wulf to Swiss liner giant MSC for a reported $19.5m.
Market Implications for Operators
- Feeder capacity growth: The addition of up to six 1,300 teu vessels will increase Songa Box's fleet capacity, potentially providing more options for shippers on regional loops.
- Newbuilding competition: Guangji's entry into export shipbuilding adds capacity to the feeder construction market, which may affect pricing and delivery timelines for similar orders.
- Asset turnover: The sale of Songa Wulf and newbuild orders reflect a fleet renewal cycle typical of feeder operators adjusting to market demand.
Watch List
- Delivery schedules: While dates are undisclosed, any delays at the new yard could affect Songa Box's ability to phase out older tonnage or meet charter commitments.
- Charter arrangements: The absence of disclosed charter arrangements leaves open the question of whether these vessels will operate on Songa Box's own account or be fixed to liner companies.
- Yard performance: As a relatively new export yard, Guangji's ability to deliver on time and to specification will be closely monitored by the market.
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