Elbdeich back for more Wenchong boxships

German owner Elbdeich Reederei has returned to China’s Wenchong yard for up to four more containership newbuilds.

Copenhagen-based MB Shipbrokers reports Elbdeich is ordering a pair of 1,900 teu vessels at about $32.2m each, with options attached for two more.

Unlike the 1,300 teu methanol dual-fuel boxships the company booked at Wenchng in October 2023 for delivery in 2026, the new vessels will likely be conventionally fuelled, with the firm units delivering in early 2027, the Danish broking outfit noted.

Elbdeich counts more than 30 ships in its fleet, excluding newbuilds. The four ships contracted in 2023 are backed by DP World-controlled feeder operator Unifeeder.

Last year ended with a record containership orderbook of about 8.3m teu, surpassing the previous high of 7.8m teu in early 2023. According to MB Shipbrokers, more orders for larger vessels are set to be firmed up in the coming weeks.