Japan's Doun Kisen has placed an order for two 8,800-TEU container vessels at South Korea's DH Shipbuilding, marking its return to the boxship newbuild market, reports Singapore's Splash 247.

The deal, valued at US$233 million, is among the few mid-size containership orders placed in Korea this year. Deliveries are scheduled for the first half of 2028 from the Haenam-based yard, formerly Daehan Shipbuilding.

The order follows a busy year for Doun Kisen in the tanker and dry bulk segments. The Imabari-based shipowner, controlled by the Okochi family, manages around 150 ships with an average age of six years.

This is Doun Kisen's first container ship order since late 2022, when it signed for four smaller vessels at Naikai Zosen in Japan.

For DH Shipbuilding, the contract marks a return to the container segment after a three-year focus on tankers and bulkers. Since 2022, the yard has delivered two 1,000-TEU and four 8,000-TEU ships.

With this latest deal, DH Shipbuilding has secured 10 ships in one month, including a series of suezmax tankers. A company official said the contract highlights its diversification strategy and reliability in the containership market.