Monaco-headquartered Transocean Maritime Agencies has been revealed as the buyer behind an order for containership newbuildings in China, marking the company’s latest fleet expansion and its first step into the box segment.
Industry sources and shipbuilding databases show Transocean has contracted two 1,930 teu vessels at Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, likely of the yard’s in-house “Wenchong Swan 1900” design, according to Alphaliner, with delivery scheduled for 2028. The vessels — to be named Ajax C and Apollo C — are already listed as under construction.
Transocean, led by Ruth McLoughlin, is best known for its dry bulk and tanker operations. Founded in the 1960s by the late Guenther Neunhoeffer, the company currently controls around 15 ships with an average age of seven years. It last entered the newbuilding market in 2024, when it signed for a pair of ultramax bulkers at New Dayang Shipbuilding.
The move follows a broader trend of traditional bulk and tanker players branching into the container sector, particularly in the smaller feeder range between 1,700 and 3,000 teu. Recent entrants include Latsis, Oceanbulk, and Minerva Marine, all eyeing the segment’s stable charter returns and strong regional demand.
Market sources have also linked Transocean to an additional order for two 3,100 teu ships at New Dayang Shipbuilding, with delivery also expected in 2028. The ships are estimated to cost around $45m apiece, although no confirmation has been made. Transocean has not yet commented on the newbuilding programme or whether employment has been secured for the new vessels.
