Singapore’s Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) is back in the container newbuild market, signing up for six feeder boxships in China.

Sources close to the deal say EPS has inked an order at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard for a series of 1,800 teu vessels. The ships are priced at around $30m each and are slated for delivery in 2027 and 2028.

The move comes shortly after EPS confirmed a return to the tanker segment with LNG dual-fuel suezmaxes at Hengli Heavy Industry. The Idan Ofer-led company, with one of the largest orderbooks in the industry, last dipped into container newbuildings in September 2024 with a contract at New Times Shipbuilding for a string of 8,400 teu vessels.

The new 1,800 teu units place EPS among a growing group of owners eyeing modern feeder designs, amid steady demand in regional trades. Greek outfits Latsco, Alberta Shipmanagement and Chios Navigation are also actively pursuing similar projects, with multiple contracts firmed up at Chinese yards.

“Despite longer lead times — three years or more for feeders — ordering momentum in the container segment remains strong,” MB Shipbrokers said in a recent note, pointing to a busy pipeline heading into Q3.