Photo: Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard
Newbuilding deliveries are picking up after a summer lull, with the Far East-South America east coast route continuing to receive capacity.
Over the past week, MSC took delivery of two sister 10,300 teu ships, MSC Leticia X (pictured above) and MSC Clelia X from Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard. These will go to MSC’s Far East-South America east coast Carioca service.
According to Alphaliner, MSC Leticia X и MSC Clelia X will be the third and fourth ships of this high-reefer series on this service, which currently deploys a mixed fleet of ships from 7,900 teu to 12,200 teu.
Construction of both vessels was completed nearly a year ahead of schedule, demonstrating how far Chinese shipyards have come in their abilities.
The LNG dual-fuelled vessels are part of a series of 10 ships that Zhoushan Changhong is scheduled to deliver to MSC this year and in 2027. MSC ordered the units in August 2023 for $130m each.
Meanwhile, CMA CGM took delivery of the 8,454 teu CMA CGM Atlantic from New Times Shipbuilding and will deploy the vessel to its Far East-South America east coast network.
CMA CGM Atlantic is the first of four sisters that tonnage provider Eastern Pacific Shipping commissioned at New Times for long-term charter to the French carrier.
CMA CGM will also charter 10 similar sister ships that Capital Ship Management commissioned at the same shipbuilder, for delivery from late 2026 to mid-2028.
Shanghai-South America rates have nearly tripled year-on-year, and on 11 September averaged $8,555 per teu on the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI).
However, the strong freight rates are largely supported by port congestion in Asia and South America, than cargo growth, which has been fairly stable.
Container Trade Statistics show that in July, South America’s exported 806,366 teu, compared with 805,487 teu in the same month in 2025. Imports totalled 1.2m teu in July, slightly up from 1.15m teu in July 2025.
Other notable deliveries during the week were Yang Ming’s 15,500 teu YM Weight, the fourth of five sister ships the Taiwanese operator contracted at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Yang Ming will deploy the ship to its Far East-Mediterranean “MS2” service
Finally, Hapag-Lloyd took delivery of the 8,258 teu Tinos Express, the second of seven sister vessels that tonnage provider Danaos Corporation commissioned at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding for long-term charter to the German operator.
Hapag-Lloyd and will deploy Tinos Express to Gemini Cooperation’s ‘TP1’ / ‘WC3’ transpacific service.