Samsung Heavy Industries exceeds annual order target with new container ship contract

Samsung Heavy Industries has exceeded its annual mercantile vessel order target after securing a new contract for two container ships. The agreement, signed with an unnamed African shipowner, is valued at approximately 444.5 billion won (about $323 million).

The two vessels are scheduled for progressive delivery by December 2028. This latest deal brings the company’s total mercantile orders for 2026 to 36 units, totaling $6.1 billion, which represents 107% of its $5.7 billion annual target.

Samsung Heavy’s current order portfolio includes 14 LNG carriers, 12 crude oil tankers, four gas carriers, four container ships, and two ethane carriers. The company noted that demand for container ships, particularly in the 8,000 to 13,000 TEU range, is being driven by shipowners seeking more efficient vessels to meet stricter environmental regulations. Moving forward, the company intends to prioritize high-profitability orders.