HONG Kong-listed Chinese shipowner SITC International Holdings has exercised options at Huanghai Shipbuilding for two additional 1,800 TEU vessels.

The company is paying nearly US$58 million to lift the series at the compatriot yard to 10, with deliveries for the latest pair scheduled by March and May of 2028.

SITC signed a shipbuilding contract with Huanghai for a series of four firm and six optional 1,800 TEU newbuilds in June last year, reports Singapore's Splash 247.

According to Alphaliner, the intra-Asia carrier ranks 15th among global container shipping enterprises with a capacity of about 186,000 TEU spread across 119 vessels, including 104 self-owned.