South Korea's oldest shipyard, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC), has clinched its first merchant shipping order since 2014.
The reborn yard group said it won a contract with a European shipowner for four 5,700-teu containerships worth a combined $260m.
It said the eco-ships will reduce emissions and save fuel compared with conventional vessels.
HHIC also said the deal illustrates its global competitiveness and normal management operations.
The yard now wants to expand into building small and medium-sized LNG carriers, LPG carriers, product tankers and aframaxes.
TradeWinds reported in September that HHIC was making a comeback under new ownership.
The company was linked to a deal for four 5,300-teu boxships from Germany's MPC Capital, which has been contacted for comment about the new order.
HHIC was also said to be discussions with several companies over other containership newbuildings.
No new ships since 2014
The Busan shipyard had not contracted any commercial newbuildings for seven years.
MPC Capital was said to be in advanced talks over a deal for a quartet of firm vessels, plus options for two more.
At the time, the German company said: "MPC Capital is always analysing growth opportunities and this may also include newbuildings."
A consortium led by civil engineering and construction company Dongbu Corp officially became the major shareholder of HHIC last month, with more than 66% shares after acquiring a stake from state-owned Korea Development Bank.
The value of the transaction was not disclosed.
HHIC was known for building boxships and vessels up to aframax size. But stiff competition from China and low shipbuilding prices led it to stop contracting commercial ships.
The new containerships could be delivered from late 2023.
HHIC recently delivered two LR2 tankers to banking giant JP Morgan affiliate Global Meridian Holdings.
The ships were 70% built and were left at the dry docks of HHIC Philippines in Subic Bay when the shipyard closed down in 2018.
Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB) enlisted HHIC to complete the newbuildings by paying $52.5m.
Global Meridian Holdings then acquired the duo from CMB for $110m as part of its expansion activities in the product sector.
