Erasmus Shipinvest has signed for two more 1,900 teu containerships at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong, lifting its firm orderbook at the Guangzhou yard to eight vessels with six options attached.

The Athens-based owner signed the latest contract this week together with China Shipbuilding Trading. The pair are direct follow-ons to two ships of the same size contracted in July. Neither price nor delivery dates have been disclosed.

The newbuilds belong to Huangpu Wenchong's Swan feeder series. Each vessel measures 172 m in length and 27.5 m in beam. The design complies with IMO EEDI Phase III requirements and comes equipped with shore-power capability and exhaust gas scrubbers — specifications that position the tonnage for trading in emission control areas and under tightening EU and IMO carbon rules.

The contracting pace between the two companies has been rapid. John Su's Erasmus first ordered two firm plus two optional 1,800 teu ships at the yard in April. It followed with two further 1,900 teu programmes in June and July before this week's addition. The latest pair takes total cooperation between the Greek owner and the Chinese builder to eight firm ships and six options.

Pricing offers one reference point. The earlier 1,900 teu joint programme was reported at around $32m per ship, although no pricing indication has emerged yet for the newest pair. At that benchmark, the combined firm feeder programme at Huangpu Wenchong would represent an investment in the region of $250m.

For charterers and intra-Asian and Mediterranean feeder operators, the order signals continued confidence in the segment despite recent softness in charter rates for smaller tonnage. Eight eco-designed feeders entering the fleet over the coming years will add modern, fuel-flexible capacity to a feeder market where much of the existing tonnage predates Phase III compliance standards.

For Huangpu Wenchong, the repeat business cements its position in the feeder newbuilding market at a time when Greek owners — traditionally focused on dry bulk and tankers — are directing fresh capital into containerships.

Erasmus has been building out both sides of its orderbook in China. Earlier this year the company firmed up a series of eight 82,000 dwt kamsarmaxes at Jiangsu New Hantong, while it has also contracted additional feeder tonnage elsewhere. The company says it manages and operates more than 30 ships across dry bulk, feeder containers and LPG.

With eight firm feeders now locked in at Huangpu Wenchong and six options still on the table, further extensions to the programme look plausible as Erasmus continues to rotate capital between container and dry bulk newbuildings.