An unnamed European owner has placed a KRW490.1 billion (US$466.5 million) order for three ultra large containerships from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea.

With a contract price of $155.5 million per ship, it would suggest the containerships range from 18,000 to 19,000 TEU, reported Alphaliner. All three ships are scheduled for delivery by February 2017.

DSME is the builder of the 20 Maersk Triple E-class 18,340-TEU ships and nine 18,000-TEU ships ordered by Bank of Communications Leasing (BoCom) and Minsheng Financial Leasing (MSFL) with the backing of long-term commitments from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

The first MSC ship of this size class, the MSC Oscar, has been floated out from the building dock and is currently under fitting out.