Zodiac Maritime has placed an order for five conventionally fuelled 6,000-TEU ships at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, valued at close to US$400 million, reports Singapore's Splash 247.

The Eyal Ofer-led shipowner is paying US$78 million to $79 million per vessel, according to brokers. Delivery is expected from 2028, with some handovers possibly extending into 2029 depending on yard availability.

It remains unclear whether the order is speculative or backed by long-term charter agreements. Alphaliner suggested the ships may be linked to Cosco, though this has not been confirmed.

The design is believed to match the four 6,000 TEU units ordered earlier this year by Eastern Pacific Shipping, led by Idan Ofer, at the same yard.

Zodiac's latest move follows its previous newbuilding programme at Hanwha Ocean in South Korea, where it ordered 15,000-TEU vessels in 2021 and 2022. Those ships were later acquired by MSC.