Samudera-Imoto venture orders first newbuilding for Japan expansion
Key Takeaways
- •Blue Ocean Shipping has ordered its first newbuild, a 696 TEU feeder vessel, from Zhejiang Xinle Shipbuilding in China with delivery expected in the first half of 2028.
- •The joint venture was established earlier this year in Kobe, with Samudera Japan holding 51% ownership and Imoto Corporation holding the remaining 49%.
- •Blue Ocean commenced operations in March with two secondhand containerships, the Sagami and Hyogo, acquired from Imoto Lines.
- •The newbuilding order represents a transition from relying on secondhand tonnage to expanding capacity through a purpose-built vessel.
- •Samudera stated the new vessel will support the venture's growth in Japan's coastal and regional shipping markets, where feeder vessels connect smaller ports for domestic and near-sea container trade.
Samudera Shipping Line and Imoto Corporation’s Japanese joint venture has entered the newbuilding market with an order for a 696 teu feeder in China.
Blue Ocean Shipping has signed a contract with Zhejiang Xinle Shipbuilding for delivery in the first half of 2028.
The Kobe-based venture was established earlier this year, with Samudera Japan holding 51% and Imoto holding the remaining 49%.
Blue Ocean began operations with two containerships acquired from Imoto Lines. It took delivery of the Sagami and Hyogo in March.
The latest agreement is Blue Ocean’s first newbuilding order and marks a step from starting with secondhand tonnage to adding capacity through a purpose-built vessel. Singapore-listed Indonesian owner Samudera said the vessel will support the venture’s expansion in Japan’s coastal and regional shipping markets, where feeder ships are used to connect smaller ports and support domestic and near-sea container flows.
