Greek Shipowners Lead Surge in Feeder Boxship Orders Amid Container Shipping Shift

an LoI for 2+2 new 3,100 TEU ships at New Dayang Shipbuilding (SUMEC), marking their return to shipbuilding after four years. Latsco has pivoted from tankers to boxships with 2+2 orders for 1,900 TEU vessels at Guangzhou Wenchong. Minerva Marine Inc. and Erasmus Shipinvest expand their fleets through secondhand purchases, while Heidmar Inc. has entered the feeder market with a $25.25M acquisition of a 1,698 TEU ship. Most of these orders are being placed at Chinese shipyards, reaffirming China’s position in the market. The surge in orders for sub-panamax vessels, market drivers such as aging fleets, and tight charter markets are fueling the momentum, though owners still face challenges in securing forward charters.