Chinese yard confirms order for LNG dual fuel boxships placed by TMS

China’s Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard has confirmed the order for up to 10 liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered dual-fuel containerships booked by Greek shipping magnate George Economou-led TMS Group.

The shipbuilding project was signed with TMS Group at the beginning of February 2025 when it was revealed that the Greece-headquartered company had ordered six firm Neo-Panamax boxships and four optional ones in a deal valued at a total of $1.4 billion. The vessels are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2029.

Per the shipyard, the newbuildings boast a length of 299 meters, a beam of 48.2 meters, and a depth of 27 meters.

The shipbuilding project signed with George Economou is understood to be the first time that the Greek major collaborated with the Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard.

As informed, the order is also the second batch booked by George Economou upon the firm’s return to the container market after a four-year break, following the contract for a quartet of methanol-ready 7,900 TEU boxships at South Korea’s HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC). The units, each measuring 272 meters in length, are slated to be handed over progressively starting in 2026.

TMS Group’s fleet reportedly consists of more than 130 ships, spanning a number of different segments, such as tankers, bulk carriers, and gas carriers. The fleets are managed by TMS Cardiff Gas, TMS Tankers, TMS Dry, and TMS Bulkers, respectively. In addition to this, the Greek shipowner is believed to presently have more than 40 vessels on order.

In other, recent news, TMS Tankers rolled the red carpet for two brand-new Suezmax tankers outfitted with environmentally friendly technologies in December last year. The crude oil tanker duo, christened Ipanema and Toska, were constructed by China’s New Times Shipbuilding and launched in October 2024.

The newbuilds feature a length of 274 meters, a width of 50 meters, and a depth of 23.2 meters.