Leading container ship owner Danaos Corporation confirmed orders for two newcastlemax dry bulk carriers of about 211,000-dwt capacity each, with expected delivery dates in 2028.
The company said it also expects to take delivery of a secondhand capesize dry bulk vessel towards the end of the first quarter of 2026.
At the same time, the owner has added four 5,300 teu containership vessels to the company’s orderbook, with deliveries scheduled in 2028 and 2029.
As a result, the company’s containership orderbook currently consists of 27 newbuilding containership vessels – with an aggregate capacity of 174,550 teu – with expected deliveries of three vessels in 2026, thirteen vessels in 2027, seven vessels in 2028, and four vessels in 2029.
On a fully delivered basis, Danaos said its fleet would comprise of 102 containerships with an aggregate capacity of about 652,041 teu, alongside 13 dry bulk vessels (11 capesize bulk carriers and two newcastlemax bulk carriers), with an aggregate capacity of approximately 2.37 million-dwt. To remind, Danaos invested in the dry bulk sector through the acquisition of 11 capesize drybulk vessels and the recent order of two newcastlemax dry bulk newbuildings.
Dr. John Coustas, chief executive officer of Danaos, said: “In this quarter it became evident that the business community continues to adapt quickly to geopolitical disruptions. Despite concerns that tariff and geopolitical uncertainty would cause a U.S. slowdown, it has not materialized.
“At the same time, the hype around AI-related investments has increased optimism, China’s exports continue to set new records and consequently container volumes have reached record highs. With the Suez Canal still largely avoided by major liners, and trade patterns increasingly transforming to multipolar, demand for midsize vessels has remained very strong.
“Against this background we continued our strategy of securing long term employment for our existing vessels through forward fixtures by either extending existing charters or by new charters even for late 2027 dates.
“We also continued to invest in modern container vessels. We ordered six 1,800 teu vessels, four 5,300 teu vessels, and two 211k dwt newcastlemax dry bulk vessels for deliveries in 2028 and 2029. We have secured 10-year charters for four of these vessels, and the company’s total contracted revenue increased to $4.3bln as of the end of the quarter, giving us great earnings visibility into the future from which we derive comfort on our ability to manage any eventual future market developments.”
In January, the company disclosed a strategic partnership with New York-headquartered energy infrastructure player Glenfarne Group LLC to advance the Alaska LNG project.
Under the agreement, Danaos will make a $50m development capital equity investment in Glenfarne Alaska Partners LLC, while it will also be the preferred tonnage provider to construct and operate at least six LNG carriers to deliver LNG to global customers for Glenfarne Alaska LNG, LLC, majority owner and developer of the Alaska LNG project.
Glenfarne is developing the project in two phases. The first consists of a 765-mile, 42-inch pipeline to transport natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope to meet Alaska’s domestic energy needs.
The second phase will add the LNG liquefaction terminal and related infrastructure to export 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG.
In March 2025, Glenfarne became the lead developer of Alaska LNG and has since secured preliminary commercial commitments from LNG buyers in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand for 11 mtpa of LNG, and partnerships that include Baker Hughes and POSCO International.
Glenfarne owns 75% of Alaska LNG, with the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation owning the 25%.
This transaction provides Danaos with an opportunity to capitalize on its expertise in global seaborne transportation and expand the footprint of Danaos in the LNG and energy segments.
