A little-known Hong Kong company, Synelysia Limited, has made a significant move in the feeder containership market by ordering up to eight vessels at Xinle Shipyard in China. This order includes four firm 1,900 TEU Bangkokmax vessels, with options for four more, according to Alphaliner.
Context of the Order
The contracts for these vessels were signed in late May but remained under the radar until recently. Alphaliner reports that the cost of a standard conventionally powered, gearless Bangkokmax vessel from a second-tier Chinese shipyard is estimated at about $32 million per unit. Although the delivery schedule is not confirmed, deliveries are expected to begin in 2028.
Specifications and Design
The vessels will be built to a design developed by China’s Ocean Engineering Design and Research Institute (ORIC), part of the CIMC Group. These ships will measure 179 meters in length with a beam of 28.4 meters, featuring standard Bangkokmax dimensions and an 11-row configuration.
Implications for the Market
The emergence of Synelysia, incorporated only in December, suggests these vessels are likely intended for the charter market rather than in-house liner operations. This move marks another step for Xinle into the containership sector, following their delivery of four 1,170 TEU methanol dual-fuel vessels to X-Press Feeders in 2024 and four smaller ships for Samudera, an Indonesian liner operator.
Watch List
- Pricing and Delivery Schedules: Keep an eye on the final pricing and delivery schedules as they become available.
- Charter Market Impact: Monitor how these new vessels will influence the charter market dynamics.
- Xinle Shipyard Developments: Track further developments and orders at Xinle Shipyard as they expand their containership offerings.