X-Press Feeders has ordered up to eight 1,250 TEU methanol-fuelled container ships at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
The Singapore-based carrier, which operates routes within Asia, the Persian Gulf, South America and Europe, placed firm orders for six ships on 31 May, with options for another two vessels.
The contract signing ceremony was attended by X-Press CEO Shmuel Yoskovitz, chief financial officer Francis Goh, X-Press’ in-house ship management company Eastaway Ship Management’s managing director RS Minhas, as well as Huangpu Wenchong’s chairman Xiang Huiming.
The newbuilding price was not disclosed but similar newbuildings are estimated to cost around US$30 million.
The ships will be designed by Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute. It is a new type of environmentally friendly ship using dual fuelling of methanol and fuel oil to meet decarbonisation targets.
The ships each have a length of 148 meters and a width of 27.2 meters. With green methanol, the main engine can achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions.
It is the first time that Huangpu Wenchong has secured orders for methanol-fuelled container vessels. The shipbuilder specialises in feeder vessels and has built more than 200 such ships.
X-Press now has 29 ships on order, including a dozen 7,000 TEU and three 7,500 TEU vessels under construction at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and four 1,170 TEU units being built by New Dayang Shipbuilding.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
