GREEK shipowner Danaos has increased its newbuilding orderbook, adding two more vessels to its 9,200-TEU series in China, reports Singapore's Splash 247.

The John Coustas-led boxship tonnage provider and capsize bulker player has contracted CSSC-affiliated Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding in Guangzhou to deliver the newbuilds in 2027 at about US$105 million each.

According to the company, the ships were booked in December, following the deal for a fifth methanol-ready scrubber-fitted 9,200-TEU ship at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC) last August when Dr Coustas told investors the company would "pause new orders for the time being".

Danaos took delivery of six newbuild boxships in 2024 and one in January this year. Including the latest order, the company has 15 more ships contracted at Chinese yards with expected deliveries of one boxship in 2025, three in 2026, nine in 2027 and two in 2028, of which 13 had already been fixed on multi-year charters.

The remaining newbuilding programme was recently covered by a new syndicated loan of up to $850 million.

The Nasdaq-listed company fleet, excluding those under construction, currently stands at 74 containerships and 10 capsize bulk carriers.