Greek owner Danaos has expanded its newbuilding programme with an order for six 1,800 teu vessels, tightening its grip on future fleet growth as yard slots continue to fill.
The Nasdaq-listed owner said the ships were booked in November for delivery between 2027 and 2029. Danaos did not disclose the yard or the price. Long-term charters are already in place for four of the six newbuildings, adding about $236m to the company’s contracted revenue backlog.
The latest deal lifts Danaos’ orderbook to 23 containerships totalling 153,350 teu, with deliveries spread across 2026 to 2029. Employment has now been secured for 21 of the 23 vessels on multi-year charters averaging 5.8 years.
The move extends a steady run of ordering. In September, Danaos added two 7,165 teu newbuildings for 2027 delivery, both tied to five-year charters worth roughly $140m.
Beyond containers, the John Coustas-led company is also expanding in dry bulk. Danaos confirmed the purchase of a capesize bulker due for delivery in late Q1 2026, taking its capesize fleet to 11 vessels.
Coustas said demand for mid-size and larger boxships “continues unabated,” with fixtures now reaching into early 2028. He added that yard availability for 2028 slots is tightening and newbuilding prices continue to rise, noting the company had secured its latest orders at “below market prices.”
Danaos currently controls a fleet of 75 boxships totalling 477,491 teu, alongside its growing newbuild portfolio.
