German shipowner Offen Group is planning to order several medium-sized container ships. If the order is finalized, it will mark the shipowner’s return to the newbuilding market for container ships after more than a decade.
Shipbrokers and market sources report that Offen Group is in talks with Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI)—a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)—regarding an order for two firm and two optional 7,000 TEU container ships, with delivery scheduled for 2030.
It is reported that the more than 60 new ship orders (including options) announced by GSI this year are primarily concentrated in the sectors of oil tankers, ro-pax vessels, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships, and car carriers (PCTCs).
If Offen Group’s newbuilding project moves forward, it will mark the shipowner’s return to the container ship newbuilding market after more than a decade.
According to its official website, Offen Group currently operates a fleet of 37 container ships ranging from 3,500 TEU to 14,000 TEU in capacity, with delivery dates spanning 2005 to 2018. Notably, the fleet includes Post-Panamax vessels in the 4,600 TEU to 9,700 TEU range, all of which are at least 12 years old—indicating a clear need for fleet renewal.
Demand for newbuild container ships across various size segments remains robust.
Shipbroker MB Shipbrokers stated in its latest weekly report that multiple newbuilding projects in the 7,000 TEU to 15,000 TEU range are currently under negotiation. The broker also noted that, with shipyard delivery slots increasingly booked out through 2030, competition among shipowners for “early slots” is expected to remain intense in the coming weeks.