Contships signs for up to 30 feeder containerships at Hubei Guangji
Ten firm 1,324 TEU ships plus two sets of ten options, in a programme larger than its current 27-ship fleet
Greek feeder specialist Contships Logistics has launched a newbuilding programme of up to 30 containerships in China. Its wholly owned subsidiary CLC Newbuildings has signed a letter of intent with Hubei Guangji Green Energy Shipbuilding Group covering ten firm 1,300 TEU ships plus two further sets of ten as options.
If every option is taken up, the programme alone would be larger than the existing Contships fleet of 27 feeder vessels. The owner, led by Nikolas Pateras, is moving its fleet renewal towards newly built tonnage. Neither prices nor delivery dates have been disclosed.
The ships will be built to the ContshipMax CV1300 design, developed with the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI). Each will carry 1,324 TEU with 340 reefer plugs, with dimensions set for feeder trades worldwide and lower fuel consumption and emissions than older tonnage.
The specification includes Tier III Mitsubishi main engines with low-pressure selective catalytic reduction, Daihatsu generators, a shaft generator and energy-saving devices. Construction will take place at Hubei Guangji's new shipyard, which has automated production lines and works in strategic cooperation with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding & Offshore Project Management.
Contships said the programme "represents an important step in its long-term fleet renewal strategy and its investment in modern, efficient feeder tonnage."
The letter of intent adds to a run of feeder contracting by Greek owners at Chinese yards. In the same week, Athens-based Erasmus Shipinvest took its programme at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong to eight firm 1,900 TEU ships (Erasmus orders two more 1,900 TEU feeders).
This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 5 October 2026.
