The vessels, designed for trades with high refrigerated cargo demand,
will each be fitted with more than 1,000 reefer plugs, with delivery set for
June and August 2028.
The Nasdaq-listed tonnage provider said the ships,
each costing about $46.35m, will be built to EEDI Phase 3 and IMO NOx Tier III
standards and that the newbuilding deal also includes options for up to four
additional vessels of similar design, either with high reefer capacity or in a
more conventional configuration.
Chairman and chief executive Aristides Pittas said the move reflects a
targeted expansion into a niche segment where demand remains firm and modern
tonnage is limited. “With the outlook
of the global refrigerated container shipping market remaining quite positive,
and the limited availability of modern vessels with significant reefer
capacity, we believe that this measured diversification into the specialized
high-reefer segment creates an attractive opportunity within this niche
market,” Pittas noted.
The company currently operates a fleet of 21 vessels on the water, with
six more under construction following the latest order.