Flex Box Shipping begins construction of first new containership at HD Hyundai Samho
Construction has commenced on the first of four 8,800 TEU container vessels ordered by Flex Box Shipping Limited at HD Hyundai Samho in South Korea, following a steel-cutting ceremony announced on November 6.
The vessel, identified by hull number 8348, is being built under the supervision of Schulte Marine Concept (SMC). It will be classed by the Korean Register (KR) and constructed to meet Liberian flag requirements, with delivery currently scheduled for July 26, 2027.
The construction milestone marks the beginning of physical production for the first vessel in Flex Box Shipping’s four-ship newbuilding programme. The company announced the order in September 2025, identifying the project as its first investment in newly built container vessels.
According to Flex Box Shipping’s original announcement, the four vessels will each have a capacity of 8,800 TEU and feature conventional propulsion systems. The order forms part of the company’s strategy to expand its container shipping capacity through newbuildings rather than relying exclusively on existing tonnage.
HD Hyundai Samho is responsible for construction, while SMC is providing supervision services for the first vessel. The involvement of the Korean Register and the specified flag requirements establish the classification and regulatory framework for the newbuilding.
The latest announcement confirms the scheduled delivery date of the first vessel but does not provide updated delivery dates for the remaining three ships. No additional details concerning their construction progress or future commercial employment were disclosed.
The steel-cutting ceremony represents the first reported construction milestone in the four-vessel programme, which will add a combined nominal capacity of 35,200 TEU upon completion of all four ships.
