COSCO Shipping Specialised Carriers has moved to grow its heavylift fleet with an investment of up to RMB2.624bn ($387.8m) in eight multipurpose heavylift newbuildings at CSSC Chengxi Shipyard.

The Shanghai-listed owner will place the order through wholly owned COSCO Shipping (Hong Kong) Investment and Development or affiliated companies. Deliveries are scheduled to run from April 2029 through June 2030.

The 60，000 dwt-class vessels are being added to meet growing demand from the offshore wind sector and rising exports of Chinese-built industrial equipment. COSCO Specialised said it expects the ships to strengthen the company’s position in wind turbine and project cargo transportation.

The latest move follows an order placed at Chengxi for four 40，000 dwt multipurpose heavylift ships worth around $213m. Those vessels are due between June 2028 and February 2029.COSCO Specialized also signed a $310m leasing deal last year for six 60，000 dwt heavylift vessels from the same yard.

The company will bareboat charter that series from Bank of Communications Financial Leasing for around 16 years.

The COSCO unit operates a diversified fleet of more than 150 ships， including over 60 MPP and heavylift units.