Denmark’s Celsius Shipping has fixed its four methanol-ready 3,000-teu newbuildings under construction in China.
The Bayside Capital and Breakwater Capital-backed owner is understood to have fixed the vessels for five years to Copenhagen-based carrier Unifeeder.
The fixture is understood to have been concluded some time ago but was not reported. No rate has been disclosed for the vessels, which are scheduled for delivery next year.
Celsius, which is based in Hellerup near Copenhagen, ordered the vessels at Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry Co in early 2022 for around $42m per vessel as part of the renewal of its box fleet.
The Celsius fleet comprises more than 40 vessels, including LNG carriers, product and chemical tankers.
The company runs 10 container ships ranging from 1,700 teu to 4,892 teu, built between 2002 and 2010.
Unifeeder has been an active player in the charter market, taking several vessels for shorter periods.
This week, the DP World-owned company took the 1,216-teu Harrison (built 2002) and 917-teu Mastery D (built 2006) for around six months.
Earlier this month, it took the 2,700-teu GSL Elizabeth (built 2006) for six to nine months at around $15,400 per day.
In addition, Feedertech, which became part of the Unifeeder group in 2019, is reportedly taking the 5,047-teu Shimin (built 2005) from Dubai-based Simatech for 10 to 14 months at $20,250 per day.
PIL eyes 7,000-teu newbuildings
In other deals, Pacific International Lines (PIL) has been linked to four 7,000-teu newbuildings coming out of forward positions.
The Singapore-based company is reported close to fixing the quartet, due for delivery in 2024.
Terms are not disclosed but the charters are believed to involve a three-year period.
The deal is being finalised three months after PIL took a trio of 13,000-teu vessels from Greek tonnage provider Danaos starting next year.
Rates for traditional panamaxes have slipped slightly below last done.
Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd is said to have fixed the 4,250-teu Zim Yokohama (built 2007) from Israeli carrier Zim for a year at an undisclosed rate.
