South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) is said to be snowed under with enquires for feeder containerships of between 1,800 teu and 3,000 teu.
The shipbuilder has received enquiries from foreign and domestic owners including CMA CGM, AP Moller-Maersk, Sinokor Merchant Marine, Namsung Shipping, SM Line and others, industry sources tell TradeWinds.
The number of vessels each company is seeking is said to vary from two ships to more than 10.
HMD has committed at least 10 newbuilding slots for 1,800-teu vessels to Sinokor Merchant Marine, shipbuilding sources said. The Bangkokmax ships would be delivered in the second half of 2022.
Sinokor did not respond to requests for details, while HMD declined to comment.
HMD is also engaged in talks with AP Moller-Maersk for at least two methanol-fuelled containerships of between 2,000 teu and 3,000 teu, the sources added.
In February, the Danish containership giant said it hoped to run its first carbon-neutral ship by 2023.
HMD is said to be “struggling” with the influx of enquires as it has limited slots. The yard’s orderbook is said to be full until the end of 2023.
An HMD executive confirmed the firm interest from liner companies, but declined to disclose details.
Rising prices
The price of feeder containership newbuildings is expected to increase as “demand has outstripped supply” and material costs remain high, according to industry sources.
“The good shipyards are fully booked for the next two years and some are not taking in new enquiries,” said one source. “Singapore-listed Yangzijiang Shipbuilding is one. It cannot stomach anymore new orders.”
Some shipowners are even approaching shipbuilders that have not built containerships in recent years, TradeWinds understands.
South Korea’s STX Offshore & Shipbuilding, which focuses on MR tankers, is one such yard.
A STX official confirmed that his company has received containership newbuilding enquiries from various buyers.
He said STX is considering building feeder ships or container vessels below 10,000 teu, as it does not want to compete with the country’s major three yards — Samsung Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.
