# Erasmus Shipinvest Orders Two Feeder Boxships from Chinese Yard
Athens-based Erasmus Shipinvest Group has signed a newbuild contract with CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong for two 1,800 teu feeder container vessels, with options to expand the order to four units total. The agreement marks the John Su-led owner’s latest expansion into boxship operations as it diversifies its fleet portfolio across multiple vessel classes.
The order reflects continued confidence in feeder ship economics despite volatile container markets. Feeder vessels, typically operating regional services to feed cargo to larger hub-and-spoke networks, remain strategically important for shipowners targeting secondary ports and emerging trade routes. Chinese yards continue to dominate newbuild orders for smaller container vessels, offering competitive pricing and proven construction capabilities. CSSC’s Huangpu Wenchong facility has established itself as a reliable builder for this segment, having delivered numerous similar-sized units to regional operators.
The transaction underscores a broader industry trend of owners adding flexibility to their fleets through smaller, specialized tonnage that can service diverse routes without the capital intensity of larger cellular ships. For owners like Erasmus, feeder capacity provides operational optionality during shipping cycles and reduces dependency on a single vessel class. The inclusion of options suggests confidence in market conditions while allowing flexibility in final fleet composition as delivery schedules approach.