Israel’s XT Shipping has returned to the newbuilding market with a pair of containerships in China.
The maritime arm of Idan Ofer and Udi Angel’s XT Group has contracted 3,160 teu scrubber-fitted units at China Merchants Industry (CMI) Weihai Shipyard.
The vessels, with price tag yet to be revealed, are slated for delivery between November 2027 and February 2028, according to shipbuilding sources.
XT Shipping operates a mixed fleet of bulk carriers, containerships and car carriers and has previously participated in newbuilding projects and shipping pools.
The deal signals a renewed interest from the Ofer-backed outfit in modern, fuel-efficient boxships, last seen in 2018, when it commissioned a series of six 1,809 teu vessels at South Korea’s HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.
The company was also active in the sales market earlier this year, offloading two boxships of 1,696–1,809 teu to Erasmus Container Lines for around $45m in total.
XT Shipping was formerly part of Ofer Holdings Group, which rebranded as XT Group in 2012. The parent company holds interests across shipping, logistics, technology, and energy ventures. Ofer-portfolio companies have been particularly active in the container segment this year, with Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping ordering multiple series of 1,800 teu and 6,000 teu vessels at Chinese yards.
