Ningbo Ocean Shipping Co (NBOSCO) has set out to further expand its containership fleet with an investment in four 4,300 teu newbuildings.

The Shanghai-listed subsidiary of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Group has lined up up to $278m for the quartet, with the shipyard yet to be selected through a bidding process.

The move comes hot on the heels of four 2,700 teu ships booked at Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding at about $48m each, with deliveries expected in 2027.

NBOSCO ranks 24th on Alphaliner’s list of top container carriers with 87 ships and more than 10 newbuilds on order.