China Merchants Energy lines up 10 newbuildings across three segments
Aframax tankers, feeder boxships and a newcastlemax bulker feature in the latest order plan
Shanghai-listed China Merchants Energy Shipping has set out plans for 10 newbuildings spread across three shipping segments. Its board has approved the construction of five scrubber-fitted Aframax tankers at a domestic yard, with deliveries starting in 2029, as part of a plan to renew and optimise its tanker fleet and support an Aframax pooling scheme being developed with major international oil companies.
The company is also moving ahead with four 1,800 TEU containerships and one 210,000 dwt newcastlemax bulker for delivery in 2028, to be built by shipbuilding subsidiaries within the same group. That connected package carries an investment cap of around RMB 1.51bn ($223m) and still requires shareholder approval. The feeder and bulker newbuildings are aimed at improving fleet structure, securing earlier delivery berths and strengthening long-term profitability.
The latest move adds another layer to one of China's busiest state-backed orderbooks. Earlier in the year the company lined up 10 very large crude carriers at the same yard in a deal worth around $1.25bn, with deliveries between 2028 and 2030, and it has been expanding its container exposure through an eight-ship boxship plan worth more than $550m that includes four methanol-ready vessels and four smaller feeders.
