London-based containership fleet operator Seaspan Corp. has entered into agreements with a major shipyard for six 15,000 TEU newbuilds, the company has revealed.
“The modern high-quality containerships are anticipated to begin deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2023, and upon completion will enter long-term charters with a global liner,” the company stated in a March announcement that did not name the liner or the shipyard that will build the vessels.
The containerships are anticipated to be financed from existing liquidity and additional borrowings, the company has said.
Seaspan has also stated that it will continue to enhance its fleet composition with continued focus on its core 10,000 to 15,000 TEU size category. Since December 2020 and including this latest agreement, Seaspan has announced 31 newbuild orders and the acquisition of two second-hand vessels built in 2019.
“With our recently announced 31 newbuilds, it is a strong testament to the trust our customers have in our long-term partnerships,” Seaspan President and CEO Bing Chen commented. “I am extremely proud of our team.”
“I am confident that the relentless focus on our core competencies prove our resiliency and ability to achieve quality growth despite all market challenges and cycles,” he added.
As of September 2020, Seaspan’s fleet consists of 127 containerships, representing total capacity of about 1,073,000 TEU. Its operating fleet of vessels has an average age of about seven years and an average remaining lease period of four years, on a TEU-weighted basis.
