Bremen-based D. Oltmann Reederei has been identified as the European owner behind four 10,010 teu container ship orders placed at Korea’s HJ Shipbuilding and Construction, according to Alphaliner.

The low-profile German non-operating owner placed the orders in two pairs, in February and April respectively, with all four vessels scheduled for delivery in 2028 at two-monthly intervals from April through October. The ships will measure 289 m in length and 45.6 m in beam – the maximum size HJSC can build at its Busan yard – and will feature conventional propulsion systems fitted with exhaust gas scrubbers.

Alphaliner believes MPC Group is involved in the transaction in some capacity, though whether the Hamburg-based group holds an equity stake in the vessels remains unclear. It is understood that MPC had been sitting on the four HJSC slots but did not exercise them directly.

The orders represent a significant fleet expansion for Oltmann, which currently manages 14 container ships ranging from 3,700 to 10,010 teu. The company’s youngest and largest vessel is the RDO Ace, a 10,010 teu ship built by Yangzijiang in 2018 and acquired from Navigare Capital Partners in 2023, which has been on charter to Ocean Network Express since 2021. Oltmann’s existing fleet is fully employed, with vessels chartered to Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, ANL, OOCL and Shipping Corporation of India.

Alphaliner notes that while it has no confirmation of forward charter commitments for the four newbuildings, it would be unusual for a conservative owner of Oltmann’s profile to commit to four large vessels on a purely speculative basis. Potential charter candidates in the 10,000 teu segment include Shipping Corporation of India, which is seeking to expand its service footprint, currently operating just two ships of its own.

ZIM had also been reported to be seeking vessels of around 10,000 teu on long-term charter, though Hapag-Lloyd’s planned takeover of the Israeli carrier has cast some doubt over those plans.