Bertram Rickmers-controlled Asian Spirit Steamship Co (ASSC) aims to grow its containership fleet to about 40 feederships.

The Hamburg-based shipowner is plotting further orders after fixing the first in a series of eight eco-feeder containership newbuildings under construction in China.

The 1,162-teu Spirit of Kolkata and Spirit of Chennai are scheduled for delivery in the coming weeks and have been taken on long-term charters at a significant market premium.