XT Shipping, a shipping company owned by Israeli shipping magnates Idan Ofer and Udi Angel, has returned to the new shipbuilding market after a seven-year hiatus.
XT Shipping has signed a contract with China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard for the construction of two 3,160 TEU feeder container vessels. The newbuilds will be equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems and are scheduled for delivery between November 2027 and February 2028. The construction cost has not been disclosed.
XT Shipping has previously participated in newbuilding projects and shipping pool collaborations. The disclosure of this shipbuilding contract signals a renewed interest in modern, energy-efficient container vessels. The company’s last newbuild order dates back to 2018, when it commissioned six 1,809 TEU feeder container vessels from HD Hyundai Mipo.
In addition to the newbuilding market, XT Shipping was also active in the secondhand ship market earlier this year, selling two 1696-1809TEU feeder container vessels to Erasmus Container Lines for a total of approximately US$45 million.
XT Shipping operates a mixed fleet of bulk carriers, container vessels and car carriers. Originally part of Ofer Holdings Group, which rebranded as XT Group in 2012, its parent company’s operations span shipping, logistics, technology, and energy sectors.
This year, companies under Idan Ofer have been particularly active in the container shipping sector. Singapore-based East Pacific Shipping has placed multiple orders for 1,800 TEU and 6,000 TEU container vessels at Chinese shipyards.