China United Lines has ordered two 14,000 TEU containerships at Hudong-Zhonghua for around $150 million each, with deliveries scheduled for December 2028, shipbroker Banchero Costa reported. The conventionally fuelled pair anchors another heavy week of newbuilding contracting that stretches from boxships to LNG carriers.

The order pushes a Chinese owner into the largest vessel classes at a time when mainstream carriers have largely paused tonnage commitments, and it signals confidence in long-haul demand well beyond the current rate cycle.

What else hit the ordering books?

Greek owner Navios Maritime Partners reportedly placed an order for four containerships at HJ Shipbuilding for around $122.7 million each, with deliveries scheduled for December 2027. No TEU capacity has been confirmed at this stage.

Banchero Costa said that "newbuilding orders continued to flow this week," and the tanker and gas segments carried the rest of the volume:

• Latsco Shipping: 2x 115,000 dwt tankers at SK Oceanplant, around $77 million each, delivery June and November 2030, options for two more.
• Akrotiri Tankers: 1x 157,000 dwt Suezmax at New Times Shipyard, around $84.4 million, delivery June 2029 — the owner's second Suezmax on order.
• Advantage Tankers: 4x 157,000 dwt Suezmaxes at Samsung, around $88.3 million each, deliveries from October 2029, under a contract reportedly placed in July 2026.
• Dynagas: 4x 200,000 cbm LNG carriers at Samsung, around $263 million each, delivery from March 2029, dual-fuel propulsion.

The $263 million price point on the LNG trio underlines how gas tonnage now commands the highest capital intensity in the market, while the backlog of delivery slots stretching to 2030 shows how tightly booked major Korean and Chinese yards remain.

Where is secondhand money moving?

Xclusiv, in a separate report, flagged significant activity in the S&P market, "particularly in the VLCC sector."

On the dry side, German buyers acquired the 82,000 dwt, 2021-built Kamsarmax "GCL Hazira" (NACKS) for $39 million basis surveys passed. Its sister vessel "New Wavelet" (82K/2021 NACKS) changed hands for $38.4 million basis delivery Q1 2027, and the "Babitonga" (82K/2019 Tsunechi) fetched $38.5 million.

Chinese buyers took the 77,000 dwt, 2005-built Panamax "Good Hope Max" (Sasebo) for $12.5 million. The Supramax "YC Aequor" (57K/2012 Ningbo) sold in the high $13 millions, and the Handysize "CS Calla" (37K/2011 Tianjin Xingang) found new owners for $11 million basis surveys due.

Why did VLCCs dominate the tanker S&P scene?

The crude segment delivered the week's biggest-ticket deals. Clients of ADNOC acquired the "Seaking" (319K/2013 Hyundai Heavy) for $177 million, while the "Olympic Target" (320K/2011 Hyundai Heavy) and "Olympic Light" (317K/2011 Hyundai Samho) sold en bloc for $300 million.

The "Atherina" (319K/2011 Hyundai Heavy) changed hands for $146 million.

Smaller tanker sizes traded briskly as well:

• Suezmax "Stella" (165K/2011 Hyundai Samho): $83 million.
• Aframax "TP Affinity" (114K/2016 Hyundai Samho) to Turkish buyers: $73 million.
• "Eurointegrity" (105K/2009 Hyundai Heavy): $60 million.
• LR1 "London Star" (74K/2006 New Century): $21.5 million basis SS/DD due.
• Scrubber-fitted MR "Puffin Pacific" (50K/2020 STX): $49 million; "Virgen Del Cisne" (50K/2009 SPP): $25.5 million.
• "Atlantic Crown" (47K/2007 Hyundai Mipo): $19.1 million; "Ocean Sunrise" (49K/2006 Iwagi Zosen): $17.5 million.
• Handymaxes "Vitality" and "Sunflyte" (both 37K, Hyundai Mipo) sold en bloc for $17 million.

The spread is telling. A 2020-built MR fetching $49 million against $11 million for a 2011 Handysize shows how sharply age discounting has bitten, and buyers of 15-year-old VLCCs paying $146–177 million are betting on years of strong crude trades ahead.

For owners, the message from both reports is that capital keeps flowing into tankers and gas at premium prices, while container ordering now draws non-traditional players. With delivery slots pushed to 2030 and secondhand values holding firm, the ordering momentum Banchero Costa describes shows little sign of cooling.