Shanghai-listed Jinjiang Shipping (JJ Shipping) has moved ahead with its boxship fleet expansion by ordering a series of 1,900 teu newbuilds at Jiangsu New Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.

The Shanghai International Port Group-controlled carrier has signed contracts for four firm vessels with options for another four ships of the same type. Each vessel is priced at about RMB205m, or roughly $29.7m.

The deal forms part of a previously announced investment plan worth up to RMB1.94bn (around $270m) aimed at adding bangkokmax vessels to the company’s fleet.

According to Alphaliner data, JJ Shipping currently ranks 34th among global container carriers, operating a fleet of 52 vessels with a combined capacity of about 59,400 teu. Around half of those ships are owned.

The latest order follows another recent fleet move by the company, which also contracted up to four 1,100 teu feeder vessels at Sumec Marine.