Greek owner George Economou’s TMS Group is set to boost its containership fleet with another wave of LNG dual-fuel newbuildings at China’s Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard.
Industry sources say TMS is planning up to 10 neo-panamax vessels of 11,400 teu, including eight fixed orders and two options, with deliveries targeted for 2028. The move effectively doubles TMS’s containership orderbook at Zhoushan Changhong.
The owner previously placed a similar series at the yard earlier this year, with each ship valued at around $140m. Those orders were backed by charters, although it remains unclear whether the new batch will be immediately tied to contracts.
Industry watchers note that the Greek owner’s latest commitment, likely worth around $3bn when combined with recent boxship orders, underscores continued confidence in the market despite global uncertainty.
Economou has also been active in other sectors this year, securing LNG carrier newbuildings at Samsung Heavy Industries and VLCC slots at Hengli Heavy Industry, signalling a broad push across the shipping spectrum.
