Nissen Kaiun of Japan is said to have ordered a quartet of feeder containerships.

The low-profile shipowner, which has more than 30 vessels under construction at Far East shipyards, has commissioned China's Tsuneishi Zhoushan Shipbuilding to construct the 1,900-teu boxships for delivery by 2020, according to market sources.

Liner giant

They said the orders are backed by long-term charters from Taiwanese liner giant Evergreen.