Taiwan's TS Lines has returned to Japan for two more feedership newbuildings.

Brokers said options for the 1,000-teu vessels have been declared at Kyokuyo Shipyard.

No price was given but delivery is set for October and December 2020.

It ordered the first two in the series in January for a reported $17m each.

“The special feature of the two 1,000-teu containerships that TS Lines ordered is they will be less than 10,000 gt," a source told TradeWinds at the time.

"This will help the company to save port charges when the vessels call at Japanese ports.”

The Taipei owner has six operational vessels, plus two 1,800-teu ships on order at CSBC in Taiwan for delivery in 2020.