Taiwanese carrier TS Lines has boosted its newbuilding programme in a new deal with a Chinese shipyard in Guangzhou.

The Hong Kong-listed boxship owner and operator has returned to Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding for four 5,300 teu newbuilds, each priced at about $61.3m and scheduled for delivery between June 2028 and December 2028.

In a related move, the Taiwanese carrier has opted to upsize two 4,300 teu ships previously ordered at the yard in September 2024. The upgraded pair will match the new series at 5,300 teu and are expected to cost roughly $62.8m each, bringing the total series to six units.

The state-owned yard has become a key supplier to TS Lines over the past several years, with newbuilds from 1,900 teu up to the latest 5,300 teu.

Huangpu Wenchong, part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has been a regular newbuild partner for TS Lines, supplying vessels across a range of sizes, from feeder-class 1,900 teu ships to larger regional units such as the latest batch.

Founded in 2001, TS Lines ranks as the world’s 20th largest liner operator by capacity and currently operates a fleet of around 40 vessels. The company said the newbuildings would expand its owned tonnage and boost total capacity, positioning it to better respond to market demand, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.