French liner company CMA CGM is in talks with CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping Leasing about an order for 10 containerships worth an estimated $1.2bn, which would be split between two Chinese shipyards.

Newbuilding sources said that under the planned deal with the China State Shipbuilding Corp leasing arm, Jiangnan Shipyard is in the frame to build a clutch of five dual-fuelled 15,000-teu ships against charters with CMA CGM.