John Fredriksen’s shipowning vehicle SFL Corp is said to be joining the red-hot container ship market with an order for four newbuildings.

Shipbuilding sources said the US-listed company has signed a letter of intent for the 7,000-teu quartet at China’s Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry. It is not known if the deal includes any options.

Sources said SFL has opted for conventional fuelling and is paying between $81m and $82m per ship.