Jiangnan Changxing Heavy Industry, a subsidiary of CSSC-affiliated Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), is said to have its previously penned contract changed. This is regarding a contract signed with CSSC Shipping (Hong Kong) in August this year for three 16,000 containerships and the latest change is to upgrade the vessels to 18,000 teu units.

According to Chinese stock firm aastocks.com, the newbuildings cost $130m apiece and the construction is planned to commence in February, 2014, for the first unit to be delivered in September, 2015.

After taking the delivery, CSSC Shipping (Hong Kong) plans to give a charter to CMA-CGM.

Meanwhile, this contract is seen to become the first 18,000 teu boxship deal in Chinese shipbuilding industry, meaning a landmark of advancing into ultra large containership construction with preventing monopoly of Korean yards.