China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) is stepping up its containership push with plans to order eight newbuildings worth more than $550m, as the state-backed owner continues to reshape its fleet across multiple segments.

The company said it will invest up to CNY3.8bn ($557m) in four 8,200 teu methanol-ready containerships and four 1,800 teu vessels. The ships will be built at a yard under China Merchants Industry Group (CMI), with delivery scheduled for 2028.

The deal will be carried out through a shipowning entity set up by a CMES subsidiary, in what the company described as a related-party transaction.

The latest move adds to a growing container orderbook at CMES. Earlier this year, the company booked four 3,000 teu boxships as part of its steady push into liner-related tonnage, signalling a broader effort to improve efficiency and competitiveness across its trades.

The methanol-ready design on the larger vessels points to a cautious approach to alternative fuels, giving the owner flexibility as regulations tighten without committing fully to a single fuel pathway.

CMES has been active well beyond the container segment. The group recently moved into the shuttle tanker space with an order for up to two vessels at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC), with the firm unit due for delivery in 2028.

It has also placed a major order for 10 conventionally fuelled VLCCs through its subsidiary Associated Maritime Company (Hong Kong). The ships, to be built at DSIC, carry a combined price tag of around $1.25bn and are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2030.

Alongside newbuildings, CMES is also tapping leasing structures to expand capacity. The company has agreed to lease five 84,500 dwt multipurpose vessels from affiliated leasing arms for an initial three-year period, with options to extend. The ships are expected to support upgrades to its general cargo operations, offering greater flexibility across contract-of-affreightment trades and project cargoes, the Shanghai-listed shipping arm of China Merchants Group said in a filing.