South Korea’s Namsung Shipping and Dongyoung Shipping have turned to China for new tonnage, placing orders for four containerships at CSSC’s Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.

The two Korean operators have contracted the Guangzhou-based yard, together with China Shipbuilding Trading Co, for a pair of 4,300 teu containerships and two 1,900 teu feeder vessels. The deal marks the first collaboration between Huangpu Wenchong and both Korean companies.

The larger 4,300 teu vessels have been designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) for ocean-going service. The newbuilds will be capable of carrying general containers, reefers and dangerous goods within specified limits, the yard said.

The ships will also meet Tier III emission standards using an HPSCR system and have design provisions for future conversion to alternative fuels including methanol, LNG and ammonia.

The two 1,900 teu units will be built to Huangpu Wenchong’s in-house “Honghu” feeder design, a series widely deployed in regional and shortsea trades. According to the yard, the design focuses on lower fuel consumption, high container intake and operational flexibility, making it suitable for feeder routes across Asia.

Huangpu Wenchong said the deal strengthens its ties with South Korean owners and underlines its position in the small- and mid-size containership segment.

Founded in 1953, Namsung Shipping was the first private ocean-going shipping line established in South Korea. Headquartered in Seoul, the carrier focuses on intra-Asia container trades linking ports across Korea, Japan, China and Southeast Asia, operating a fleet of more than 20 owned and chartered vessels. Dongyoung Shipping, established in 1974 as Korea’s first joint venture carrier, launched its first Japan service in 1975 before expanding to China in 1994, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong in 2013, and Russia in 2022.