Ningbo Ocean Shipping (NBOSCO) has firmed up a four-ship feeder newbuilding programme at CSSC’s Wuchang Shipbuilding， committing RMB832m ($123m) to the quartet.

Four wholly owned subsidiaries of the Shanghai-listed carrier have signed separate contracts with Wuchang and China Shipbuilding Trading for one 1，900 teu ship each. The 23，950 dwt vessels are priced at RMB208m apiece and will deliver across 2028 and 2029.NBOSCO retains options for two additional ships.

The latest contracts put hard numbers and delivery dates on a programme first unveiled in March， when the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port-controlled carrier earmarked up to RMB1.7bn for four firm ships plus two options.

Wuchang was selected through a tender in May， followed by a strategic cooperation agreement between the two companies covering shipbuilding and the development of greener vessel designs. The 1，900 teu ships are around 172 m long and 27.5 m wide and have been designed for regional trades where shallow ports and restricted waterways limit vessel size.

The feeder programme adds to NBOSCO’s expansion at Huangpu Wenchong， where the carrier has four 2，700 teu newbuilds contracted for RMB1.184bn and another four 4，300 teu ships ordered for RMB1.639bn.

According to Alphaliner， NBOSCO’s orderbook now comprises a total of 20 ships of three size classes. The carrier is scheduled to receive eight vessels of 4，300 teu and four vessels of 2，700 teu from Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard. In addition to this， NBOSCO has now ordered eight bangkokmax vessels from Wuchang Shipyard.

Separately， filings with the Shanghai Stock Exchange earlier this month show the carrier is also considering further fleet expansion in the 1，900 teu-2，700 teu vessel range.