As 2025 drew to a close, China State Shipbuilding Corporation and COSCO Shipping, two major state-owned enterprises, joined forces to conclude the year with an order for four new vessels, ushering in 2026.
On December 31, 2025, COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers” or “the Company”) issued an announcement regarding the construction of four 40,000 DWT multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels, declaring an investment of RMB 1.492 billion (approximately US$213 million) to order the new vessels.
According to the announcement, following deliberation and approval at the fifth meeting of the ninth board of directors of COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary COSCO SHIPPING International Hong Kong will serve as the investment entity to invest in the construction of four 40,000 DWT multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels at CSSC Chengxi Shipyard.
The total value of this new vessel order is US$213 million. Based on this figure, the cost per vessel is US$53 million. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery by June 2028, with the remaining vessels to be delivered sequentially by the end of February 2029.
COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers stated that in recent years, the rapidly expanding wind power market has generated substantial maritime transport demand. The trend toward larger wind turbines and deeper offshore development has placed higher demands on the scale and vessel configuration of the company’s multi-purpose heavy-lift fleet.
As one of the world’s largest maritime service providers for wind power equipment, COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers’ new fleet of four 40,000 DWT multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels will further optimize its fleet’s cargo adaptability. This initiative will support the global expansion of China’s advanced manufacturing sector and ensure the security and stability of the global new energy industry supply chain.