Jinjiang Shipping adds 1,182 teu newbuilds amid intra‑Asia trade growth

CHINESE intra-Asia container carrier Shanghai Jinjiang Shipping has ordered two 1,182 teu eco-design containerships from Sumec Marine, with options for two additional vessels.

Although the contract value has not been disclosed, shipbrokers estimate the market price for this type of vessel at $22m-$23m per unit. The units are scheduled for delivery in 2027.

The order comes amid steady growth in intra-Asian trade. Container Trade Statistics data show regional volumes rose 4.2% year on year in the first half of 2025.

While demand has been expanding, supply of small- and medium-sized vessels remains tight. Clarksons reported that 1.1m teu of new capacity was delivered globally during the same period, but only 57,500 teu — 5.2% of the total — were ships under 3,000 teu delivered in Asia.

Shanghai-listed Jinjiang, a subsidiary of Shanghai International Port Group, noted that this limited supply has helped support a balanced market, with regional freight indices trending upwards in recent months.

The company’s performance has reflected the favourable conditions.

In the first half of 2025, Jinjiang posted Yuan3.4bn ($465m) in revenue, up 26.1% year on year, while net profit jumped 150.4% to Yuan794m.

Jinjiang continued to lead the market share on Shanghai–Japan service, while expanding into new markets with the launch of the Ho Chi Minh Silk Road Express, later extended to Japan, along with new services to South Asia and the Middle East.

The carrier currently operates 51 vessels, including 26 owned and 25 chartered, with a total capacity of over 56,000 teu. This ranked Jinjiang 35th globally and eighth among mainland Chinese container lines, according to Alphaliner.