The wave of giant containership newbuildings is showing no sign of breaking, with Cosco Shipping Lines (CSL) looking for mega-max vessels.

Industry sources said the Chinese liner operator, a unit of state-controlled giant China Cosco Shipping, has approached domestic shipyards for a series of 21,000-teu newbuildings. The exact number is not clear.

The move deals a blow to the hopes of rival lines worried about overcapacity on the faltering Asia to North Europe trades, where ships of this size are normally deployed.