CSBC’s orders this year include the construction of containerships from 1,800-14,000 teu, with 11 new ships to be built at the Kaohsiung yard and five at Keelung, according to Chen Feng-lin, president of CSBC.
Local media reports quoted Robert Lai, chairman of CSBC, as saying that the company remains cautiously optimistic due to the relatively low newbuilding prices.
While newbuilding prices have rebounded 8% from the first half of last year, a rebound of 15% would be more reasonable, Chen was quoted saying.
He added that it was still necessary for the industry to consider ordering new ships, especially mega-sized container vessels, in the face of the uncertain trend of global crude oil prices.
“Once the global oil price rises again, shippers would have to operate more mega vessels to lower fuel consumption and unit cost. It will be too late for them to place orders when oil prices start to rise,” Chen told Taipei Times.
CSBC, meanwhile, said its shipyards in Kaohsiung and Keelung have orderbook visibility up until the third quarter of 2017.
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