Wan Hai Lines continues to acquire more ships after setting aside more funds for fleet expansion.
The Taiwanese liner operator has bought two newly built feeder ships, 1,774TEU A Fuji and 1,762TEU Bremen Trader, for US$39 million each.
A Fuji, which appears to be on charter to CMA CGM, was purchased from Dalian Zhida Ship Management, which is associated with Chinese feeder operator StarOcean Marine.
Bremen Trader, which is currently chartered by Maersk Line, was acquired from UK ship owner Lomar Shipping, which in October, sold another ship, Filia T, to Wan Hai.
In November, Wan Hai announced a war chest of US$200 million to buy more ships, after purchasing 12 ships with a US$360 million budget in 2020. Since the second vessel acquisition budget was announced, Wan Hai has now bought three vessels, including the 1,700TEU Box Express, which the company had been chartering since June 2020.
Liner operators have been expanding their owned fleets to manage rising charter costs. Daily charter rates of similar ships are now around US$36,500 and, in one year, the charter costs will be US$26.6 million.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
