Sinotrans Container Lines is moving to double its feeder programme at China Merchants’ revived Qingshan Shipyard with a second batch of four 1，800 teu vessels.

The carrier’s Hong Kong subsidiary issued a direct procurement invitation to Qingshan this month covering construction of the quartet.

The latest move follows a contract signed in May for an initial four ships of the same size. Investment in the first batch was capped at RMB940m ($139m)， or close to $35m per vessel.

A second contract on similar terms would lift the overall programme to eight ships with an indicative investment of around RMB1.88bn.

The invitation is the start of the direct procurement process and does not yet represent a final signed shipbuilding contract.

Qingshan formally returned to newbuilding this year after exiting ship construction in 2018. The yard has since secured feeder projects from Zhonggu Logistics， Sinotrans and Greek owner Goldenport Shipmanagement.