COSCO Shipping Holdings has placed another major containership order, committing approximately $3 billion to 18 new vessels as the company continues an aggressive fleet expansion programme.
The latest contracts include 12 large LNG dual-fuel container ships with a capacity of around 22,000 TEU each, together with six smaller 3,200 TEU wide-beam feeder vessels.
The total value of the newbuilding package is approximately $3 billion.
The twelve larger vessels will be built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, while the six feeder ships will be constructed at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
The 22,000 TEU vessels will use LNG dual-fuel propulsion, reflecting COSCO’s continued investment in more efficient and lower-emission ship technology. Delivery of these vessels is expected between 2028 and 2030.
The six 3,200 TEU vessels are designed primarily for regional and feeder services and are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029.
Together, the 18 vessels will add approximately 283,000 TEU of new capacity to COSCO’s fleet.
The latest order forms part of a much larger fleet expansion programme by COSCO in 2026. With this new package, the company has now contracted 48 container vessels this year, representing around 676,800 TEU of capacity and total investment of approximately $8 billion.
A significant share of COSCO’s new vessels will use LNG dual-fuel propulsion. The company continues to invest in alternative-fuel technology as the global shipping industry prepares for stricter environmental regulations and long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
As of the end of July 2026, COSCO Shipping Holdings operated a self-managed container fleet of more than 600 vessels with approximately 3.66 million TEU of capacity.
Including vessels already on order and leased ships under construction, the group’s existing and future fleet capacity exceeds 5 million TEU.
The latest newbuilding programme further strengthens COSCO’s position among the world’s largest container shipping companies.
The rapid expansion of COSCO’s fleet is expected to increase competition among the major global liner operators over the coming years, particularly as new large-capacity vessels begin entering service.
The investment also comes during a period of strong global containership ordering. Major shipping companies continue to invest heavily in larger and more efficient vessels as they renew ageing tonnage and prepare for future changes in fuel and emissions requirements.
For maritime professionals, such a large fleet expansion may also create additional employment opportunities as the new vessels enter service, including demand for deck officers, engineers, electricians and other experienced seafarers.
