Greece's Conbulk boosts mid-size container vessel orderbook in China, lines up employment

Shipbroking and market sources indicate that the Greek owner now has four firm 5,000-TEU container vessels under construction at Yangzhou Guoyu Shipyard, with deliveries scheduled through the first half of 2028.

Riviera first reported in November that Conbulk had contracted the yard for two ships. The owner has since exercised options for an additional pair, effectively doubling its initial commitment. Market talk suggests the quartet will be chartered to liner operator ZIM.

Interestingly, European shipbrokers reported late last week that Conbulk may have further expanded its orderbook to six vessels at the Chinese yard, with the latest two units slated for delivery in the second half of 2028.

The same sources estimate the price of a single vessel of this size at around US$55M.

Conbulk currently manages a fleet of 34 vessels, primarily feeder container ships, along with two bulk carriers.

MB Shipbrokers noted in its latest report that demand for container newbuildings remains robust across segments, ranging from feeders to vessels of up to 18,000 TEU.

“The appetite for feeder and mid-size vessels appears to be primarily driven by non-operating owners, while projects of 10,000 TEU and above are almost exclusively led by liner operators,” the analysts said.

Greek appetite grows

Conbulk was among a wave of Greek shipowners that moved into the feeder and mid-size container newbuilding space last year.

So far in 2026, Greek interest has been centred on mid-size and larger container tonnage. Costamare has been linked to discussions for a sizeable order in China, while Danaos has already secured two firm container vessels at Chinese yards.

Yangzhou Guoyu Shipbuilding, meanwhile, has been gaining traction among Greek owners since re-entering the market. In addition to Conbulk, Chartworld has placed container vessel orders at the yard, while Super-Eco Tankers Management has secured product tanker slots.