Netherlands' Seatrade taps Chinese yard for new 2,800TEU containerships

Netherlands-based shipping company the Seatrade Group has placed an order for two new container vessels to be built by Huanghai Shipyard in China.

The vessels will be the first two examples in a new series of containerships. Deliveries are scheduled for 2027.

Each ship will have a capacity of 2,800 TEUs including up to 1,000 refrigerated containers. Seatrade said these will be the largest container vessels it has ordered to date.

The 2,800TEU ships will be operated by Seatrade along with an existing fleet of ten 1,800TEU vessels.

"The newly ordered 2,800TEU vessels will play a key role in reinforcing our 'fast, direct and dedicated' concept, ensuring shorter delivery times, reduced indirect costs, and enhanced flexibility," said Yntze Buitenwerf, Chairman of the Seatrade Group.

In addition to the two firm orders, Seatrade has reserved options for six additional vessels in the same series. The company said the timing of further declarations will be aligned to customer demand and market conditions.