COSCO Shipping Specialised Carriers has placed an order for eight 60,000 dwt multipurpose heavylift newbuildings at CSSC Chengxi Shipyard, according to Splash247, with a total investment of up to RMB2.624bn ($387.8m). The vessels are scheduled for delivery from April 2029 through June 2030, and will be used to meet growing demand from the offshore wind sector and rising exports of Chinese-built industrial equipment.
Fleet Expansion Details
The order will be placed through wholly owned COSCO Shipping (Hong Kong) Investment and Development or affiliated companies. Splash247 reported that COSCO Specialised expects the ships to strengthen the company’s position in wind turbine and project cargo transportation. This latest move follows a previous order at the same yard for four 40,000 dwt multipurpose heavylift ships worth around $213m, due between June 2028 and February 2029.
| Order Type | Number of Vessels | Dwt Class | Approximate Value | Delivery Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New order | 8 | 60,000 | $387.8m | Apr 2029 – Jun 2030 |
| Previous order | 4 | 40,000 | $213m | Jun 2028 – Feb 2029 |
| Leasing deal (2025) | 6 | 60,000 | $310m | Not specified (last year) |
In addition, COSCO Specialised signed a $310m leasing deal last year for six 60,000 dwt heavylift vessels from the same yard. Those vessels will be bareboat chartered from Bank of Communications Financial Leasing for around 16 years.
Operational Implications
The COSCO unit operates a diversified fleet of more than 150 ships, including over 60 MPP (multipurpose) and heavylift units, as reported by Splash247. The addition of 14 confirmed newbuildings (the eight new plus four from the earlier order) will significantly increase its project cargo capacity in the late 2020s. For freight forwarders and shippers of heavy-lift and project cargoes—particularly wind turbine components and industrial equipment—the expansion signals greater availability of specialized tonnage on routes from China to global markets.
However, deliveries are still several years away (2028–2030), meaning near-term capacity constraints in the heavylift segment may persist. The offshore wind sector, a key demand driver, continues to grow, and COSCO’s investments position it to capture that market.
Watch List
- Delivery timelines: Any delays at Chengxi shipyard could shift capacity availability.
- Market demand: Continued growth in offshore wind and Chinese industrial exports will influence utilization.
- Further orders: COSCO may place additional orders if demand outpaces the current newbuild pipeline.
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