Chinese Container Maker Orders Four Ships

China International Marine Container, the world’s largest container manufacturer, is venturing into the ship-owning business after finalizing a $330 million order for four container ships at STX Offshore and Shipbuilding’s Dalian yard in China.

The four ships, which have a capacity of 9,200 20-foot-equivalent units, are said to have cost $82.5 million each, with delivery scheduled for 2014.

The ships have been ordered in the wake of a long-term charter agreement with CMA CGM, although details of the deal were not disclosed.

Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @petertleach.