XT Shipping Revives Newbuilding Ventures with Two New Containerships
Israel’s XT Shipping has made a significant return to the newbuilding market by contracting two advanced containerships in China. The company, part of Idan Ofer and Udi Angel’s XT Group, has secured 3,160 TEU scrubber-fitted vessels from China Merchants Industry (CMI) Weihai Shipyard. These ships are expected to be delivered between November 2027 and February 2028, although the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed.
Strategic Move Towards Modern Fleet
XT Shipping’s latest order marks a renewed commitment to enhancing its fleet with modern, fuel-efficient boxships. This initiative is a notable shift for the company, which last engaged in newbuilding projects in 2018 when it commissioned six 1,809 TEU vessels at South Korea’s HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. The recent contract reflects the company’s strategy to adapt to evolving market demands and improve operational efficiency.
In addition to its newbuilding activities, XT Shipping has been active in the sales market, recently selling two boxships ranging from 1,696 to 1,809 TEU to Erasmus Container Lines for approximately $45 million. This dual approach of expanding its fleet while optimizing existing assets demonstrates XT Shipping’s proactive stance in the competitive maritime industry.
Formerly part of Ofer Holdings Group, which rebranded as XT Group in 2012, XT Shipping operates a diverse fleet that includes bulk carriers, containerships, and car carriers. The parent company has interests across various sectors, including shipping, logistics, technology, and energy. Notably, Ofer-portfolio companies have been particularly active in the container shipping segment this year, with Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping also placing multiple orders for 1,800 TEU and 6,000 TEU vessels at Chinese shipyards.
