The Greek shipping company Danaos has ordered four more container ships. This brings the company’s newbuilding volume to 18 ships.
The shipping company headed by John Coustas, which specialises in container ships and capesize bulkers, has ordered 9,000 TEU ships from the Chinese Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC).
According to the Danish agency MB Shipbrokers, the order is worth a total of US$416m. The ships will be equipped with conventional propulsion and are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028.
Danaos’ newbuilding volume increases significantly
Danaos’ investments are continuing this year with the newbuilds. At the beginning of the year, the shipping company ordered four newbuildings of 8,258 TEU each, which are scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027. At the end of March, container ships with a total volume of 108,000 TEU were under construction, two of which were delivered in April and May. The ships will also be able to run on methanol in future.
Danaos also increased its volume in the Capesize sector. In February, the shipping company acquired two ships (176,000 and 178,000 dwt) from 2010 and 2011 for a total of US$52.8m. In the same breath, CEO John Coustas announced that Danaos would examine “interesting opportunities”, particularly in the Capesize sector.
Container shipping has seen a sharp increase in orders this year. Freight rates are currently at their highest level since the pandemic, which is why many shipping companies are investing in their capacities.
