Stade-based non-operating owner Foroohari Schiffart has made its boldest move to date in container shipping, picking up the 13,312 teu Manzanillo Express from Greece’s Capital Ship Management for a price reported by Alphaliner at around $120m.
The 2022-built vessel, constructed at Hyundai Samho in South Korea, will become by far the largest ship in Foroohari’s fleet. Until now, the owner’s flagship was the 6,494 teu BF Hamburg, an Imabari 6300 type. Foroohari’s current fleet of 19 container and multipurpose ships spans from 509 teu feeders to mid-size panamax vessels — making the jump to 13,000 teu a significant scale-up.
The Manzanillo Express comes with a lucrative tailwind: a ten-year charter with Hapag-Lloyd, running until at least 2032. With a deadweight of 140,488 tons, a length of 335 m, a beam of 51 m, and fitted with 2,220 reefer plugs, the ship is well-positioned for reefer-heavy trades where Hapag-Lloyd has a strong presence in Latin America.
For Capital, the deal trims its exposure in this vessel class. The Greek owner retains two sisterships — the Buenaventura Express and Itajai Express, both built in 2023 and also on long-term deals with Hapag-Lloyd.
