Greek shipowner Tsakos Group has placed an order for two 3,200 TEU containerships with China's Hengli Heavy Industries, marking its return to the containership newbuilding market after a four-year hiatus. The shipbuilding contracts were signed in September 2026, with delivery expected in the fourth quarter of 2028. The vessels will be equipped with scrubbers and shore power systems, allowing them to connect to shore-based power supplies. This is the second collaboration between Hengli Heavy Industries and Tsakos Group, following a prior contract for two 181,500 DWT Capesize bulk carriers priced at approximately US$78 million each, also scheduled for delivery in 2028. Tsakos Group's last containership order dates back to 2022, when it contracted a series of 2,800 TEU vessels from an HD Hyundai shipyard, all of which have since been delivered. With the new order, Tsakos Group's orderbook has grown to 23 vessels, including three VLCCs, five LR1 tankers, nine shuttle tankers, two LNG carriers, two bulk carriers, and two containerships. Including the fleet of its US-listed core entity, Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN), the group currently operates 83 crude/product tankers, 16 shuttle tankers, four LNG carriers, 13 bulk carriers, and 12 containerships, totaling 13 million deadweight tonnes. Hengli Heavy Industries has also recently secured an order from German shipowner Elbdeich Reederei for two 3,200 TEU containerships for 2028 delivery, alongside a separate batch of 23 tanker and gas carrier orders. As of the end of July 2026, the shipyard's orderbook totaled 361 vessels, representing 61.67 million DWT and 13.48 million compensated gross tons, ranking first globally by CGT, with deliveries scheduled through 2030.