Greece's Chartworld Shipping has stepped up its containership expansion programme with an order for up to eight new vessels in China, reports Singapore's Splash 247.

The Kollakis family-led company has signed a deal with Yangzhou Guoyu Shipbuilding for four firm and four optional 3,100-TEU ships, with deliveries of the confirmed units scheduled for 2028.

The order follows a similar contract placed in July with New Dayang Shipbuilding for two firm and two optional vessels of the same specifications, also due in 2028.

At an estimated $42 million per ship, Chartworld could control up to 12 modern 3,100-TEU vessels if all options are exercised.

The move continues Chartworld's return to containership newbuildings after a lull since 2021, when it ordered four 13,288 TEU ships, two of which were chartered to Hapag-Lloyd and two acquired by the German liner.

Chartworld currently owns 13 containerships, including the 3,718-TEU CMA CGM Africa Two built in 2010, and operates a diversified fleet that includes tankers and bulk carriers.