South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has been reported to had signed a Letter of Intent with Danish shipping conglomerate Maersk for construction of up to 16 ships of 14,000 TEU.
Under the deal, Maersk is reported to have ordered 9 firm ships and has the option for additional 7 units, Yonhap news agency reports.
The total value of the order for all 16 ships is estimated at around USD 2 billion.
HHI is expected to start delivery of the boxships in 2017.
The announcement comes following a similar order at the Korean builder by another shipping major, namely the French liner CMA CGM.
CMA CGM placed an order for six 14,000 TEU boxships with HHI at the beginning of June worth USD 700 million.
World Maritime News Staff