Seaspan Orders Six Eco-Friendly 11,400 TEU Ships from SWS for COSCO
Seaspan Corporation has placed an order for six new 11,400 TEU container ships at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), with plans to lease them long-term to COSCO Shipping Lines. The announcement came during Seaspan CEO Bing Chen’s visit to the shipyard on April 29, where he discussed potential collaborations in green fuels and sustainable shipbuilding practices.
This new order follows a previous deal where Regional Container Lines, a regional carrier in Thailand, purchased two 11,000 TEU vessels from SWS for around $125 million each. However, recent market estimates from Clarksons suggest similar ships are now valued at approximately $119 million, reflecting a slight decrease in newbuilding prices.
Seaspan has an established relationship with SWS, having previously ordered various ships, including 7,000 TEU vessels and large car carriers. The latest 11,400 TEU design is part of SWS’s next-generation fleet, emphasizing environmentally friendly features such as energy efficiency and increased cargo capacity. Last year, SWS also secured orders for six methanol-compatible 11,000 TEU ships from Singapore-based X-Press Feeders.
According to Clarksons, Seaspan’s current fleet comprises around 193 ships, ranging from 2,500 TEU to 16,000 TEU, with key charter customers including COSCO, MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM.
