Shipbroker Xclusiv Shipbrokers reports that Greek shipowner Danaos Corporation has reportedly placed an order with Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, for two 9,200-TEU container ships. The construction cost per vessel is approximately $109 million; based on this figure, the total cost of the two new ships is estimated at $218 million. Delivery is expected in 2029.
If the order is confirmed, it will be the first cooperation between Danaos and Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding in the field of new shipbuilding.
Reportedly, Danaos is one of the world’s largest independent container ship owners, leasing its vessels to several major global liner companies under long-term fixed-rate contracts.
According to the fleet list on its official website, Danaos’s active fleet currently comprises 78 container ships and 11 Capesize bulk carriers. The container ships range in capacity from 2,200 TEU to 13,100 TEU, while the bulk carriers consist of vessels with capacities of 175,500 DWT and 182,400 DWT.
Regarding newbuilds, Danaos has orders for 30 vessels—26 container ships and 4 Newcastlemax bulk carriers—all of which are being constructed by Chinese shipyards and are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029. The container ship newbuilds are being handled by shipyards including Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC), CSSC Huangpu Wenchong, China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Group Qingdao Shipyard, Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co.,Ltd.(CIMC SOE), and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, while the bulk carrier newbuilds are all being constructed by Panjin Dajin.
Based on the fleet data from the official website, the two 9,200 TEU container ships built by Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding have not yet been added to the list of new vessels.
It is reported that SWS has publicly announced over 50 new shipbuilding orders (including options and letters of intent) this year. These primarily consist of container ships and oil tankers, as well as hulls for Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) units and cruise ship projects. The current delivery schedule for these vessels extends through 2030.