Orient Overseas Container Lines (OOCL) has signed charter agreements with Seaspan for six brand new 13,000 TEU container vessels for a maximum aggregate of RMB 11.2 billion ($1.5 billion).
The vessels are planned to be delivered between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2028, and they will be chartered for 15 years.
READ: OOCL advances low-carbon shipping solutions
OOCL has reportedly been continuously assessing the global economic situation, the shipping industry’s operating environment, the supply and demand for container vessels, and the best time to introduce larger, modern, and energy-efficient vessels to improve the structure and competitiveness of its fleet.
By signing into the charter agreements, OOCL can take delivery of the new vessels as early as 2026, giving the firm additional flexibility in fleet planning and operations under a variety of economic situations.