Wan Hai ups 16,000 teu newbuild series in South Korea

Taiwanese containerline Wan Hai has returned to South Korean shipyards for a fresh series of methanol dual-fuel-ready 16,000 teu vessels.

The Taipei-headquartered company has commissioned two newbuilds each at HD Hyundai Samho and Samsung Heavy Industries in a deal worth up to $816m.

The units at HD Hyundai cost between $186.5m and $204m per ship, while those that will be built at Samsung are priced from $187.6m to $204m.

The price includes an upgrade of the equipment on the vessels, Wan Hai said in a stock exchange filing.

In October last year, the world’s 11th largest box line contracted the same yards to build four 16,000 teu vessels, each valued at a similar level as the latest newbuildings.

The same year in August, Wan Hai set out to expand its fleet with up to 20 methanol dual-fuel vessels, signing up for 12 firm and four optional 8,000 teu ships at CSBC Corporation and four 8,700 teu newbuilds at HD Hyundai Samho.

The October 16,000 teu conventionally fuelled methanol-ready series delivering in 2027 and 2028 and Wan Hai’s biggest boxships on order to date, are reportedly being evaluated for conversion to LNG dual-fuel, adding about $30m in additional cost per newbuild.