TS Lines signs US$245M contract in China for four 5,300-TEU vessels

On 7 August, TS Lines disclosed it has placed the order with Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC). The contract is valued at US$245M, with each vessel priced at approximately US$61M. Deliveries are scheduled between June and December 2028.

This latest order follows a previous contract signed in September 2024, also with Huangpu Wenchong, for two 5,300-TEU ships. That deal amended an earlier agreement for a pair of 4,300-TEU vessels. The September order is valued at around US$126M, with deliveries expected between February and April 2028.

TS Lines stated the construction of these six ships will enable the company to better capture market opportunities and meet growing demand – particularly in the Asia-Pacific region and other key markets.

The company primarily operates in the Asia-Pacific region, offering frequent services originating from the Greater Bay Area in China. According to Alphaliner, TS Lines currently ranks 21st among the world’s top 100 liner operators, with a fleet of 40 ships, including 35 owned and five chartered-in.

Newbuilding bonanza

The container vessel newbuilding boom has intensified in 2025. Xclusiv Shipbrokers’ latest monthly report shows 242 container ships have been ordered so far this year. As of the end of July, the current orderbook-to-fleet ratio stood at 31% in TEU terms, marking a significant increase from 22% during the same period in 2024.

Intermodal data reveals the 12,000–16,999-TEU class now has an orderbook-to-fleet ratio of 44%. In 2025 alone, the global container fleet is projected to expand by 7%, with neo-Panamax vessels growing by nearly 17%. Growth is expected to continue into 2026, albeit at a slower pace of 4% – still well above long-term demand trends.

However, recent activity has been concentrated in the feeder segment, which had seen prolonged underinvestment amid an ageing fleet. According to Intermodal data, this part of the market currently has an orderbook equal to just 5% of the existing fleet, close to its historical low.