Wan Hai declines option on four container vessels

The Taiwanese liner carrier has until May to decide on an option for four slightly larger containerships from Japan Marine United Corp.    Taiwan-based liner carrier Wan Hai Lines announced it will not exercise options to build four additional 2,038-TEU feeder ships at Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
   In November, the carrier signed a contract to order 12 container vessels, which are set to begin being delivered in January 2021, with an option for the four extra ships. Wan Hai did not reveal a reason for the decision to cancel the options.
   The company also announced in November it had ordered eight 3,306-TEU containerships from Japan Marine United Corp. (JMU), which are scheduled to be delivered in October 2020. Wan Hai has until May to decide about the option for four additional ships from JMU.
   Wan Hai operates a fleet of more than 70 owned vessels and two dozen chartered vessels.