Peter Döhle Expands Fleet with New Vessel Orders
Hamburg-based shipowner Peter Döhle Schiffahrts is set to enhance its container fleet by ordering four feedermax vessels from China. This strategic move comes as the company aims for fleet renewal, with deliveries anticipated between late 2027 and 2028. The new ships, featuring advanced Chittagongmax dimensions, will be fitted with scrubbers, although specific employment plans remain undisclosed.
New Contracts and Future Plans
The latest order has been placed with CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, which is well-known for its shipbuilding capabilities. Each of the 2,900 teu vessels is part of a trend towards modernizing fleets, particularly as some of Döhle’s existing ships near their replacement age. This initiative follows an earlier commitment made in 2025, where Döhle was associated with a separate order for five LNG dual-fuel 8,400 teu containerships at Guangzhou Shipyard International, each priced around $121 million.
Peter Döhle Schiffahrts has also shown a keen interest in the bulk sector, recently acquiring two kamsarmax vessels. Last year marked a significant milestone for the company as it placed orders for four 14,000 teu vessels at CSSC-affiliated Hudong-Zhonghua. This order, the company’s first newbuild program in nearly nine years, involved ships costing about $150 million each. These vessels are also equipped with scrubbers and are methanol-ready, with deliveries expected between 2026 and 2027.
The recent orders by Döhle reflect a broader trend in the shipping industry, where companies such as Chartworld, Arkas, Costamare, and others have also secured contracts for similar tonnage. This surge in newbuilding activity underscores a sustained demand for modern, fuel-efficient feeder and mid-sized containerships, particularly across European and Asian trade routes.
