Splash247: Zodiac Maritime expands boxship pipeline with $400m order in China

Zodiac Maritime is returning to the newbuilding market with an order for five 6,000 teu containerships in China, worth close to $400m.

According to brokers, the Eyal Ofer-led diversified shipowner has booked the conventionally fuelled vessels at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, with prices coming in at $78m–$79m apiece.

Delivery of the quintet is expected from 2028, with some reports suggesting handovers may stretch into 2029 depending on yard slots and specifications.

Sources are split on whether the order has been placed on a speculative basis or already lined up against long-term charter cover. Alphaliner indicated the ships may be tied to Cosco, though this has not been confirmed.

The design is thought to mirror the four 6,000 teu units ordered at the same yard by Idan Ofer-led Eastern Pacific Shipping earlier this year.

Zodiac’s latest order comes after a run of larger newbuildings at Hanwha Ocean in South Korea in 2021 and 2022. Those 15,000 teu units were later taken over by the world’s largest containerline, MSC.