Norway’s MPC Container Ships has placed a $228m order for four 4,500-teu container vessels at Chinese shipyard Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering with secured 3-year charters and divested some older “non-strategic” tonnage.
The four ships, with deliveries scheduled from the second half of 2027, are expected to generate around $140m in revenue and contribute approximately $100m in EBITDA over the contracted charter period, the company said in its release, adding that each vessel has been fixed on a 3-year time charter with a “leading global liner company.”
The new vessels will be dual-fuel ready, enabling future conversion to ammonia or methanol.
As informed, the project will be financed through a balanced mix of equity and debt.
In parallel with the newbuilding contracts, MPCC will divest three “non-strategic” 1,300-teu vessels for a total consideration of $31.5m, with existing charters attached. The average age of the sold vessels is 18 years.
The company said these sales will reduce the revenue backlog by approximately $10m, subject to vessel handovers. The vessels are sold to unrelated parties, and the completion of the sale transaction is subject to successful handover of the vessels.
Additionally, MPCC has secured new 2-year charter contracts with two “top-tier liner companies” for the vessels AS Serena, AS Sophia, AS Angelina, and AS Penelope.
“Our ongoing fleet renewal strategy is further reinforced by these measures,” said Constantin Baack, CEO of MPCC. “They underscore our ability to structure value-accretive transactions and secure long-term employment with top-tier liner companies.”
