China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) has added eight newbuilds to its orderbook in a deal worth around $508m.
The diversified shipping arm of China Merchants Group will be adding four methanol dual-fuel car carriers and a pair of kamsarmax bulkers and multipurpose carriers each.
The deal for four car carriers is an option called at China Merchants Industry following two firm units booked for construction earlier this year. The four newbuilds will deliver in the third quarter of 2026 for a total price tag of $348m. The carrying capacity of ships has been switched from 9,000 ceu to 7,800 ceu, to according to CMES, “improve the ability to adapt to ports and goods”.
In addition, the Shanghai-listed company has selected the same yard to build and deliver two 82,000 dwt bulk carriers and a pair of 62,000 dwt MPPs for $160m. Deliveries are expected from the second half of 2025 to the end of 2026.
Chinese shipping companies, including CMES, have been bolstering their fleets in the niche vehicle carrier segment to accommodate the country’s fast-expanding international car trade. The trend for methanol-powered newbuild tonnage is also closely followed, with CMES already lining up the world’s first methanol dual-fuel very large crude carrier for construction at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC).
