Ningbo Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd. (NOSC) has provided an update on its project to build four 4,300 TEU containerships, for which authorization was previously granted by the shareholders’ meeting. The company has made substantive progress in establishing an overseas investment vehicle and signing shipbuilding contracts. The newbuildings will set a new record for the container capacity of NOSC’s self-owned fleet and are seen as an important step in strengthening core capacity on international routes while advancing the fleet’s low-carbon and smart-shipping upgrade.
Overseas Platform: Singapore 'Latitude' Registered
According to the filing, NOSC has established a wholly owned project company, Ningbo Ocean Shipping (Singapore) Latitude Pte. Ltd., through its existing wholly owned subsidiary, Ningbo Ocean Shipping (Singapore) Co., Ltd. The new entity is designated to coordinate the investment, construction, and operation of the four 4,300 TEU containerships. The project involves a total investment of RMB 1.7 billion and has obtained the “Certificate for Overseas Investment” from the Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the “Record-filing Notice for Overseas Investment Projects” from the Ningbo Municipal Development and Reform Commission. Local registration in Singapore has been completed.
According to the filing, NOSC has established a wholly owned project company, Ningbo Ocean Shipping (Singapore) Latitude Pte. Ltd., through its existing wholly owned subsidiary, Ningbo Ocean Shipping (Singapore) Co., Ltd. The new entity is designated to coordinate the investment, construction, and operation of the four 4,300 TEU containerships. The project involves a total investment of RMB 1.7 billion and has obtained the “Certificate for Overseas Investment” from the Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the “Record-filing Notice for Overseas Investment Projects” from the Ningbo Municipal Development and Reform Commission. Local registration in Singapore has been completed.
Singapore Latitude has a registered capital of SGD 5 million. Its business scope covers “chartering of ships with crew (freight transport)” and “ship management services.” The company is positioned to serve as a vehicle for vessel asset holding and financing arrangements, as well as for shore–ship coordination in future international operations, leasing, and ship management.
Contracts Signed: Total Value of RMB 1.6392 Billion
On the construction side, the filing said Singapore Latitude has signed four tripartite shipbuilding contracts with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. Each contract corresponds to one 4,300 TEU (56,700 dwt) containership. The individual contract price is RMB 409.8 million, settled in cross-border RMB, totaling RMB 1.6392 billion for the four vessels. The contracts were signed in Ningbo on Jan. 16, 2026.
On the construction side, the filing said Singapore Latitude has signed four tripartite shipbuilding contracts with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. Each contract corresponds to one 4,300 TEU (56,700 dwt) containership. The individual contract price is RMB 409.8 million, settled in cross-border RMB, totaling RMB 1.6392 billion for the four vessels. The contracts were signed in Ningbo on Jan. 16, 2026.
With overseas investment compliance procedures and platform setup completed, the project has entered the contract execution phase, including detailed design, construction, supervision, milestone payments, and delivery. The filing also noted that investment funds will be deployed prudently in stages as needed; however, the construction schedule, cycle, and scale may be adjusted depending on the external environment and business requirements. Overseas operations and management also involve uncertainties and risks.
Technical Specifications: Optimized for International Routes
The four 4,300 TEU containerships share identical parameters: an overall length of approximately 220 meters, a beam of 37.5 meters, and a design service speed of approximately 19 knots. As a vessel type optimized for international transportation requirements, the filing said the design features larger container intake, lower per-TEU costs, stronger operational flexibility, and higher speed.
The four 4,300 TEU containerships share identical parameters: an overall length of approximately 220 meters, a beam of 37.5 meters, and a design service speed of approximately 19 knots. As a vessel type optimized for international transportation requirements, the filing said the design features larger container intake, lower per-TEU costs, stronger operational flexibility, and higher speed.
From a capacity strategy perspective, the 4,300 TEU class combines scale efficiency with port adaptability, enabling high-frequency weekly operations between regional hubs while maintaining deployment flexibility for network adjustments. These vessels are expected to serve as core assets in NOSC’s international route network.
Green and Smart Integration
The design integrates equipment including scrubbers (EGCS), Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, and High-Voltage Shore Power (HVSP) systems. The objective is to meet IMO emission requirements and domestic “dual carbon” policy direction. By using shore power, the vessels aim to achieve “zero emissions” at berth and to adapt to stricter green access requirements for future ports and routes.
The design integrates equipment including scrubbers (EGCS), Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, and High-Voltage Shore Power (HVSP) systems. The objective is to meet IMO emission requirements and domestic “dual carbon” policy direction. By using shore power, the vessels aim to achieve “zero emissions” at berth and to adapt to stricter green access requirements for future ports and routes.
In terms of digitalization, the vessels will be equipped with integrated smart systems covering energy efficiency management, equipment health monitoring, smart navigation, and video management, supporting shore–ship integrated management. The filing said the configuration follows current industry trends and is intended to provide digital support for fleet-scale operations.
Fleet Expansion and Outlook
According to the disclosed construction plan, the four 4,300 TEU vessels are expected to be delivered successively starting from late 2027 and deployed on NOSC’s international services. This is expected to further enhance NOSC’s international capacity mix and schedule stability.
According to the disclosed construction plan, the four 4,300 TEU vessels are expected to be delivered successively starting from late 2027 and deployed on NOSC’s international services. This is expected to further enhance NOSC’s international capacity mix and schedule stability.
Since its joint-stock reform in March 2021, NOSC has completed the construction of 24 newbuilds. Its current fleet includes 113 vessels with total deadweight tonnage exceeding 1.8 million dwt. Delivery of these vessels will mark a milestone in NOSC’s transition toward a more modernized, larger-scale international fleet.
by Xinde Marine News
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.
Please Contact Us at：
media@xindemarine.com
