COSCO Plans US$600M MPP Carrier Order Expansion

shipyard. These multi-purpose carriers are noted to be pricier than Kamsarmax vessels due to their onboard cranes, tailored for specialized projects. Current valuations for Kamsarmax ships in Chinese yards hover around $37-38 million. Contracts discussions with shipyards target delivery dates starting from 2027, mostly in 2028, to accommodate the expected influx of vessels. This follows the $2 billion contract COSCO secured last year for 42 bulk carriers. Despite recent U.S. propositions to impose port fees on Chinese vessels, market insiders suggest that such policies have yet to affect COSCO's operational strategies. However, the potential implementation of these fees could impact the company's extensive fleet. As geopolitical tensions simmer, COSCO remains under scrutiny as part of a U.S. listing targeting Chinese military-linked firms, a designation that hasn't yet disrupted its global shipping operations.