XT Shipping Backs Mid-Sized Container Ships as Mega-Vessels Dominate the Global Orderbook

XT Shipping has ordered four 6,000 TEU container vessels from China’s Hengli Heavy Industry for $79m each, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2028. The $316m order adds to the owner’s newbuilding program, which already includes two 3,160 TEU vessels ordered at China Merchants Industry Weihai for late 2027-early 2028 delivery.

The Hengli order stands out in a market where mega-ships dominate new capacity. While the global container ship orderbook has reached a record 10 million TEU—representing a 30.4% orderbook-to-fleet ratio—approximately 92% of ordered capacity consists of vessels over 8,000 TEU.

“Despite strong net ordering activity, large vessels dominate the orderbook — nearly 92% by capacity — highlighting the relative niche but tactical role of mid-size segments,” said Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.