On August 31, Samsung Heavy Industries disclosed that it had received an order for two container ships from an African shipping company, with a total value of KRW 444.5 billion (approximately USD 330 million), scheduled for delivery by December 2028.

However, market sources indicate that Japan's Mitsui & Co. has placed a follow‑on order at Samsung Heavy Industries for two 13,000 TEU container ships, also slated for delivery by the end of December 2028, and these two vessels have already been secured with a long‑term charter to Maersk. Notably, this is Mitsui & Co.'s second order with Samsung Heavy Industries this year. In February, the two parties signed a construction contract for two 13,000 TEU container ships, expected to be delivered by the end of May 2028, and already confirmed to be chartered to Ocean Network Express (ONE).

Including the latest order, Samsung Heavy Industries has so far this year accumulated orders for 36 commercial vessels, with a total value of USD 6.1 billion, achieving 107% of its annual commercial vessel order target of USD 5.7 billion. This includes 14 LNG carriers, 12 crude oil tankers, 4 gas carriers, 4 container ships, and 2 ethane carriers.

Driven by the strong performance in commercial vessel orders, the overall order book has also risen. This year's cumulative total orders have reached USD 10.5 billion, including two floating liquefied natural gas production facilities (FLNGs), equivalent to 76% of Samsung Heavy Industries' annual total order target of USD 13.9 billion.

An official from Samsung Heavy Industries said that since the commercial vessel annual target has already been met, the company will prioritise future profitability.