Namsung Shipping bets big on China with 7,100 TEU boxship order
South Korean carrier signs deal for two firm 7,100 TEU vessels at Dalian Shipbuilding, with options for two more
South Korea’s Namsung Shipping has expanded its fleet with a new order for two 7,100 TEU containerships at China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC). The deal, confirmed by shipbroking sources, includes options for two additional vessels of the same size. The ships are scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2031, though financial terms and propulsion details remain undisclosed.
The agreement marks Namsung’s first contract with DSIC, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), and its second shipbuilding order in China this year. In March, the Seoul-based carrier booked two smaller 4,300 TEU vessels at CSSC’s Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding as part of a joint four-ship deal with fellow South Korean operator Dongyoung Shipping, which secured two 1,900 TEU feeders.
The latest order reflects Namsung’s strategic shift toward larger container ships. The 7,100 TEU capacity of the new vessels represents a significant increase from the 4,300 TEU ships ordered earlier in 2024, aligning with industry trends favoring economies of scale in regional trade routes.
Expansion into larger vessels: China
Founded in 1953, Namsung operates a fleet of 20 vessels, focusing on intra-Asian liner services connecting South Korea, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. The company’s move to larger ships could strengthen its position in these high-demand markets.
For DSIC, the contract reinforces its growing commercial orderbook, which already includes crude and product tankers, shuttle tankers, bulk carriers, and now containerships. The deal underscores the yard’s expanding role in China’s shipbuilding sector and its ability to secure contracts for larger vessel types.
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