HMM Orders Four LNG Carriers from Hanwha Ocean as Newbuilding Activity Increases

Ship owners have significantly increased investments in newbuilding and S&P markets. Korea's HMM ordered four 13,000 TEU carriers from Hanwha Ocean at $183 million each, to be delivered from early 2028 to late 2029.

Greek owner Alpha Bulkers contracted 11 containerships from three shipyards, including four 4,500 TEU carriers from Yantai CIMC Raffles at $58 million each, with deliveries from mid-2026 to mid-2028. COSCO Shipping H.I. secured four 3,100 TEU carriers at $45 million each, to be delivered late 2026 to late 2027.

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding will deliver three 1,900 TEU carriers for $30 million each from Q2 2027 to Q2 2028. In the gas sector, Knutsen OAS ordered one 174,000 cu.m. LNG carrier from Hanwha Ocean for Q3 2028 delivery.

Tianjin Southwest Maritime ordered two ammonia carriers from Jiangnan Shipbuilding at $57.25 million each for June 2028 delivery. The S&P market saw various transactions across vessel sizes, including sales of the Newcastlemax 'ATLANTIC LION' for $73.5 million and the 'LOS ANGELES SPIRIT' Suezmax for mid-$30 million.