Costamare linked to purchase of two mid-size box ships from Wan Hai

Wan Hai disclosed via stock exchange filings that it has sold three 5,600-TEU container vessels for approximately US$34M-US$38M each.

While the company identified French liner giant CMA CGM as the buyer of one vessel, the remaining two were sold to Maniaki Shipping and Trikorfo Shipping. Market sources have linked these companies to Costamare.

The filings did not specify the vessels involved. However, market sources note that Wan Hai operates four ships in this segment – Wan Hai 611, Wan Hai 612, Wan Hai 613 (all built in 2001), and Wan Hai 626 (built in 2006).

Costamare currently operates a fleet of 69 container vessels and has a newbuilding programme in place for 10 additional 3,100-TEU units, with deliveries scheduled through Q4 2028. The company’s total fleet capacity stands at approximately 551,000 TEU.

The US-listed owner last acquired a secondhand container vessel at the end of 2025, adding 2006-built, 6,541-TEU Maersk Puelo.

According to Alphaliner, Wan Hai ranks 11th among the world’s top 100 liner operators, with a fleet of 120 vessels totalling around 590,000 TEU.

High buying interest

Commenting on the secondhand market, MB Shipbrokers said in its latest weekly report that activity remains steady, with underlying sentiment holding firm.

“Demand persists across segments, with buyers remaining engaged as transactional activity continues at a steady pace,” the brokerage noted.

Braemar echoed this view, adding that while reported transactions were relatively thin last week, buying interest remains consistently high.

European brokers also reported that a 2009-built, 4,860-TEU vessel was sold for around US$35M to undisclosed Greek buyers, with activity particularly concentrated in the 1,100-2,800 TEU segments.