Greece’s shipowner Minerva Marine has joined the growing list of owners lining up feeder containership newbuildings in China.
According to brokers in Athens, the Andreas Martinos-led company has signed letters of intent with two Chinese yards for up to eight 1,800 teu vessels. The orders are split between Yangzijiang Shipbuilding and Huanghai Shipbuilding, with two firm ships at each yard and options for two more at both sites.
The ships will run on conventional fuel, with each unit expected to cost between $30m and $33m, and deliveries scheduled between late 2027 and 2028.
Minerva entered the container segment in 2022 with a feeder ship order at Yangzijiang. Since late 2024, the company has also picked up four modern secondhand boxships, ranging from 1,780 to 2,430 teu, based on S&P data.
The move reflects a broader trend across the market as owners look to replace aging feeder tonnage. Most of the recent feeder orders have gone to Chinese shipbuilders, with sources noting that major liner operators — including MSC — are preparing for their own fleet renewals in the segment.
Analysts at MB Shipbrokers expect the ordering wave to continue, with feeder shipbuilding slots for 2028 already seeing strong demand.
