Seaspan Corp has strengthened its relationship with China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC) by pencilling in a $1.52bn containership newbuilding order.

If confirmed, the order would take Seaspan’s total orderbook to 69 boxships worth $6.36bn, with up to 32 vessels worth $2.9bn contracted at CSSC.

The tonnage supplier is said to be contracting three shipyards under the state-owned group’s umbrella to construct 20 neo-­panamax boxships.