The customer of five containerships worth KRW 447.6bn ($422m) awarded at Samsung Heavy Industries turned out to be a Chinese shipowner, of which announcement was released on November 26.

Industry sources said that the five newbuildings are planned to go on a long-term charter to a European operator with vessel size said to be 9,300 teu.

The newbuilding contract was signed on November 25 with delivery of the final ship in the series planned by December 31, 2015. The value of the contract is equivalent to around $422m, or about $84.40m apiece.

According to overseas press, Bank of Communications Leasing of China is the shipowner and CMA CGM of France is the charterer.

Meanwhile, back in September, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering entered into a newbuilding contract to build three 18,400 teu containerships from Bank of Communications Leasing of China.

In addition, CIMC of China placed an order for five 8,800 teu containerships for $425m, or $85m apiece, at compatriot New Times Shipbuilding in July and signed a long-term charter agreement with MSC of Switzerland.