Seaspan has moved into the open-hatch multipurpose segment with an order for four 65,200-tonnes vessels at New Dayang Shipbuilding in China, with deliveries scheduled for 2029.

The newbuildings will feature gantry cranes and box-shaped cargo holds, giving them the flexibility to carry a wide range of cargoes, including project cargo and breakbulk shipments. The yard said the design is aimed at improving both loading efficiency and maneuverability.

The order marks Seaspan’s first move into this part of the dry cargo market. The company has traditionally focused on containerships, but it has continued to widen its reach into related shipping segments through its leasing platform.

With more than 180 vessels in service and over 50 ships on order, Seaspan has been extending its presence beyond its core container business. The latest contract adds another specialized vessel class to that broader expansion plan.

For New Dayang Shipbuilding, the project also supports its push into more specialized ship types. The yard, part of Sumec Group, has built its name in bulk carriers and said the program would help restart domestic construction of open-hatch vessels in China after decades of limited activity in the segment.

The order follows other steps in Seaspan’s diversification strategy. Since late 2023, the company has entered the car carrier sector through a partnership with Hyundai Glovis, ordering a series of large PCTCs. It also signaled toward the end of 2025 that it planned to enter the ethane carrier market, reflecting a wider effort to develop a multi-segment leasing business beyond containerships.