Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), the world’s third-largest container tramp shipping company owned by Israeli entrepreneur Idan Ofer, is apparently expanding its fleet.
EPS has ordered eight newbuildings from the Chinese shipyard New Times Shipbuilding, according to information from brokers and shipyard circles.
The Singapore-based shipping company will receive ships with a slot capacity of 18,000 TEU. An option for four further newbuildings has also been agreed, which could increase the series to a dozen.
EPS ranks 3rd in the world market
The propulsion system is to be based on dual-fuel LNG technology. Further details have not yet been disclosed. EPS already has ships of this type in its fleet, including those under charter to the French company CMA CGM, which ranks third in the global market for liner shipping companies.
EPS also ranks third in its market – the tramp shipping market in container shipping. The industry service Alphaliner estimates the fleet at 50 ships with a total of 605,000 TEU. In addition, there is an order book of 15 units with 75,000 TEU, plus the freighters that have now been contracted. Market leader Seaspan from Canada (175 ships, 1.79 million TEU) and Shoei Kisen from Japan (88 ships, 886,000 TEU) rank ahead of EPS, followed by Zodiac Maritime – from Eyal Ofer -, Costamare and Danaos in 4th place, with Global Ship Lease in 7th place ahead of SFL. The latter commissioned newbuildings just a few days ago.
