Contships Logistics has launched a Chinese newbuilding programme for up to 30 feeder container ships through its wholly owned subsidiary CLC Newbuildings. Led by Nikolas Pateras, the Greek operator signed a letter of intent with Hubei Guangji Green Energy Shipbuilding Group for 10 confirmed 1,300 teu ships, plus two batches of 10 optional units each.
Prices and delivery schedules have not been disclosed. Contships would go beyond its current fleet of 27 feeder vessels, if all 20 options are exercised.
Built to the newly developed ContshipMax CV1300 design, the ships were created with the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute. The design has an actual capacity of 1,324 teu, including 340 reefer plugs.
Tier III Mitsubishi main engines, low-pressure SCR systems, Daihatsu generators, shaft generators and various energy-saving technologies will power the conventionally powered vessels. Construction will take place at Guangji's new Wuxue yard on the Yangtze River.
With an RMB3.5bn ($488m) investment and 10 slipways, the yard was built in partnership with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding & Offshore Project Management. The deal is by far the largest export order secured so far by the state-backed yard, whose overseas orderbook had already topped RMB4bn ($562m) before the agreement.
The order follows a fleet renewal at Contships. The company sold 15 older vessels in 2025 and five more in the first half of 2026, generating $59m this year, and spent $72m in 2025 on five secondhand feeders.
As of mid-2026, Contships held $249m in cash and time deposits and a $240.7m revenue backlog, with charters including CMA CGM, ZIM, COSCO, X-Press Feeders and Unifeeder.