China United Lines (CULines) has re-entered the newbuilding market with an order for four 6,400 teu containerships.

The Shanghai-based intra-Asian carrier has contracted CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding in Guangzhou for the series, with CSSC Trading involved in the deal.

The move marks CULines’ first ship order since 2022, when it booked a pair of 7,092 teu vessels.

The new ships will be conventionally fuelled, sport a capacity for 1,150 reefer containers and are expected to be deployed on intra-Asia services as well as extending into the US West Coast, Red Sea, East Africa and Mediterranean trades.

According to Alphaliner, the carrier ranks 32nd globally with 26 ships and around 60,000 teu of capacity. No price or delivery schedule has been disclosed for the latest units, which will follow six ships CULines has already taken from Huangpu Wenchong — four 1,900 teu and two 2,700 teu — which have become regular performers in its network.