Thailand’s Regional Container Lines (RCL) has placed an order for two 14,000 teu containerships at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, marking the first collaboration between the two companies.

The contract, worth KRW435.3bn ($299m), will see the vessels delivered by October 2028.

The order represents a major scale-up for RCL, which has traditionally focused on the intra-Asia market and smaller vessel classes, signalling its intent to compete in the mainline trades.

For HD Hyundai Heavy, the deal adds to what is shaping up to be a standout year — the Korean yard has now booked 61 boxship orders in 2025, more than double the 28 secured last year.