State-owned CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding is said to have been selected by Evergreen Marine Corp to build 24 feeder containerships of three sizes in a deal worth about $1.045bn.

Shipbuilding sources said Huangpu Wenchong will build 11 units of 2,300 teu, 11 vessels of 3,200 teu, and two wide-beam 1,800-teu ships.

They added that the 3,200-teu category is the latest in-house design offered by the shipyard, although Evergreen was originally seeking 3,000-teu vessels.