Quanzhou Ansheng Shipping, a subsidiary of Chinese transportation company Antong Holdings, has ordered twelve 640 TEU boxships from three compatriot yards.
The orders were placed at Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding, Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding and Nantong Xiangyu Marine Equipment. Each of the shipyards will build four vessels.
As informed in a stock exchange filing, the total price of the order is CNY 784 million (around USD 120 million).
The newbuildings are expected to be delivered in 2019. Following their completion, the company plans to gradually phase out some of its older vessels.
The move is part of the company’s strategy to invest in green vessels and reduce operating costs.
In a separate announcement, Antong Holdings revealed that Hainan Ansheng Shipping, another subsidiary of the company, plans to purchase four secondhand containerships from Norway-based Awilco Container .
The company will pay a total of USD 59.25 million for the quartet.
The ships in question are the 2010-built AS Mariana and AS Mariella and the 2009-built ALS Fortuna and AS Magnolia. Each of them has a capacity of 4,300 TEU.
World Maritime News Staff