China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) is adding feeder capacity after confirming plans to order four 3,000 teu containerships from a group-affiliated yard in China.

In a regulatory filing, the Shanghai-listed shipping arm of China Merchants Group said the newbuilds will be contracted through a wholly owned subsidiary with China Merchants Jinling, part of China Merchants Industry Holdings. The total investment is capped at RMB 1.324bn ($190m).

The conventionally fuelled vessels will be fitted with scrubbers and are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028. CMES said the ships will be deployed across existing routes to lift capacity, improve utilisation and fine-tune the structure of its container fleet.

The company said placing the order with a related-party shipbuilder offered earlier delivery slots, more competitive construction terms and greater certainty on execution compared with external yards.

The feeder order is the latest step in CMES’ broader fleet renewal programme, which spans multiple shipping segments.

The company has been actively refreshing tonnage as it looks to improve efficiency and competitiveness across its trades. Most recently, CMES entered the shuttle tanker market with an order for up to two newbuildings at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC). The firm unit from that deal is slated for delivery in 2028.