Tsakos has ordered two 3,200 teu containerships at China's Hengli Heavy Industries for roughly $48m each — a combined investment of about $96m and the Greek group's first boxship contracting since 2022. Market sources supplied the pricing; neither Tsakos nor Hengli has disclosed the figure.

Both vessels appear in the Athens-based owner's latest fleet register with delivery scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028. Each will be scrubber-fitted and equipped with alternative maritime power systems, allowing shore-side electricity connection while alongside.

When were the contracts signed?

The timing remains uncertain. Shipping database records point to contracts signed in September, but Alphaliner said the orders could have been concluded in August or September.

Charter arrangements are also unknown. Alphaliner noted that Tsakos has typically backed containership newbuildings with forward employment, though there is no indication yet whether the Hengli pair have already been fixed.

What does this mean for Tsakos' fleet?

The deal ends a three-year gap in Tsakos' boxship ordering. The group last contracted containerships in 2022, booking a series of approximately 2,800 teu vessels at HD Hyundai Mipo in South Korea. Six of those so-called Chittagongmax ships entered the fleet in 2023 and 2024.

The current register shows 10 containerships on the water — the six modern Hyundai Mipo units plus four older vessels ranging from about 2,800 teu to 4,600 teu.

The order also deepens Tsakos' relationship with Hengli beyond dry bulk. Splash reported in June that the group had emerged behind two 181,500 dwt capesize newbuildings at the Dalian yard, scheduled for 2028 delivery and reported at about $78m apiece. Market sources suggested at the time that deal may have involved resale positions rather than direct yard contracts.

Overall, Tsakos' fleet now stands at 112 vessels including newbuildings, with a 23-ship orderbook spanning tankers, LNG carriers, dry bulk vessels and the latest containership pair.

Who else is buying Hengli's 3,200 teu design?

Tsakos is not alone in targeting the design. Thenamaris has four similar ships booked at Hengli for 2028 delivery.

German non-operating owner Elbdeich Reederei has now also been linked by shipbuilding sources to two 3,200 teu ships at the yard, again for 2028 delivery. The pair are reported at about $48m each, matching the market indications around the Tsakos vessels.

For charterers and feeder operators, the cluster of 3,200 teu tonnage arriving in late 2028 signals continued owner confidence in the mid-size segment — with Tsakos' track record of forward employment suggesting employment deals for the Hengli pair may follow before steel is cut.