John Fredriksen’s SFL Corporation has joined the rush for containership newbuilds with an order worth around $1bn.
The New York-listed diversified shipowner has confirmed a deal for five 16,800 teu vessels at China’s New Times Shipbuilding with deliveries expected in 2028.
The newbuilds will be LNG dual-fuel and cost about $200m apiece. Once delivered, the vessels will go on a 10-year charter with an undisclosed liner with a two-year extension and purchase options included.
“With these vessels delivered, we will have 11 LNG dual-fuel vessels, and it demonstrates our commitment to continue expanding our investment focus to assets with a lower carbon footprint whilst ensuring significant visibility through 10-year firm charters to an investment grade counterparty,” said Ole Hjertaker, CEO of SFL Management.
Several large liners and tonnage providers have already booked newbuild tonnage backed by the box sector rebound, as others are in talks with yards for various series of newbuilds which are anticipated to materialise during the summer.
SFL, with a fleet of more than 70 wholly or partly owned vessels and newbuilds under construction. The container fleet currently stands at 34 ships, most of which are on long-term charter to major liners, MSC, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.
