Hamburg-based shipowner Peter Döhle Schiffahrts is expanding its container fleet with an order for four feedermax vessels at China’s CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding. The 2,900 TEU ships, built to Chittagongmax dimensions and fitted with scrubbers, are scheduled for delivery between late 2027 and 2028. Employment plans for the vessels have not yet been announced, though brokers suggest the order may be part of a fleet renewal, as some of Döhle’s existing ships of similar tonnage approach replacement age.

Earlier in 2025, Döhle was linked to a separate order for five LNG dual-fuel 8,400 TEU containerships at Guangzhou Shipyard International, each priced at approximately $121 million. The German owner has also been active in the bulk sector, recently acquiring two modern kamsarmax vessels.

Last year, Peter Döhle, which claims control of more than 300 tramp-owned containerships, placed an order for four 14,000 TEU vessels at CSSC-affiliated Hudong-Zhonghua, marking its first newbuild program in nearly nine years. These ships, costing about $150 million each, are scrubber-fitted, methanol-ready, and scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027.

The latest feedermax order aligns with broader trends in the container shipping market, as several operators expand or modernize fleets to meet demand for fuel-efficient, environmentally compliant vessels. Shipbrokers note that similar newbuilding contracts have been placed this year by companies including Chartworld, Arkas, Costamare, Interasia Line, Ciner Group, Minerva Marine, Eastern Pacific Shipping, and XT Shipping. These orders underline continued demand for modern feeder and mid-sized containerships across European and Asian trade routes.

Peter Döhle’s fleet strategy reflects a focus on operational flexibility and compliance with evolving environmental regulations. The addition of scrubber-fitted feedermax vessels allows the company to reduce emissions while maintaining service on regional and intra-Asia feeder routes. By combining these newbuilds with LNG dual-fuel and methanol-ready ships, Döhle aims to strengthen both capacity and sustainability across its container operations.

The company’s ongoing investments in newbuilds, spanning feedermax to ultra-large containerships, demonstrate a commitment to fleet renewal and technological modernization. This approach positions Peter Döhle to remain competitive in both European and Asia trades while addressing fuel efficiency and emission reduction objectives increasingly demanded by customers and regulators.

With deliveries planned from 2026 through 2028, Döhle’s expanding fleet is expected to support continued growth in container transport, offering flexibility for future route deployment and cargo demand fluctuations. The combination of environmentally compliant design and scalable capacity reinforces the company’s long-term strategy in a sector marked by evolving operational and regulatory requirements.