Greek owner Minerva Dry is stepping deeper into the container sector, ordering a new series of 3,000 teu ships in China — its largest boxships to date.
Shipbuilding sources said Andreas Martinos-led Minerva Dry has inked a deal with Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry for three vessels due for delivery between 2027 and 2028.
Brokers indicate the slots worth around $45m each were originally held by Songa Box, backed by Norwegian owner Arne Blystad, but were released after talks reportedly broke down, clearing the way for Minerva’s entry.
Songa Box has meanwhile been linked to a letter of intent with Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering for two firm plus two optional vessels in a similar teu range.
The newbuilds will mark a step up in scale for Minerva’s growing boxship operation, which has so far focused on smaller feeder vessels of around 1,800 teu. The company already holds orders for four 1,800 teu ships at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding and Huanghai Shipbuilding, each with deliveries slated through 2027–2028.
Minerva Dry, part of the wider Minerva Marine group, has been diversifying beyond its dry bulk base since 2022, when it first moved into the container market. The owner has since spent more than $250m on secondhand tonnage, acquiring eight modern containerships in the 1,780–2,430-teu range. The latest order signals the company’s intent to scale up and take a firmer position in the 3,000+ teu segment — a niche that has seen rising interest from traditional bulk and tanker owners amid more stable returns and charter demand in key regional trades.
