UK-based Zodiac Maritime may not be able to take delivery of the 5,300-teu containerships it has under construction at Zhejiang Ouhua Shipbuilding.

The Eyal Ofer-controlled shipowner commissioned the Chinese shipyard to construct four high-specification ships, plus options for four more, three years ago at a reported price of $48m apiece.

It is scheduled to take delivery of the firm units during the second half of this year but with the shipyard's closure, the boxships may never get delivered.