Danish ocean carrier Maersk has ordered 20 container vessels equipped with dual-fuel engines. The company signed agreements with three shipyards for the construction of the vessels, which will have a combined capacity of 300,000 TEUs.
Maersk has placed an order for two 9,000 TEU and six 17,000 TEU container ships with Yangzijiang Shipbuilding in China. Additionally, they have agreed to build six 15,000 TEU vessels with Hanwha Ocean in South Korea and another six with New Times Shipbuilding in China.
With these orders, Maersk concludes the intended owned newbuilding orders announced in the August 2024 update of the fleet renewal plan.
“We are pleased to have signed agreements for 20 vessels and thereby completed the acquisition of 300,000 TEU capacity as announced in August. These orders are a part of our ongoing fleet renewal program and in line with our commitment to decarbonisation, as all the vessels will have dual-fuel engines with the intent to operate them on lower emissions fuel,” commented Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering & Newbuilding at Maersk.
All 20 ships will be equipped with liquified gas dual-fuel propulsion systems and vary in size from 9,000 to 17,000 TEUs.
“Due to their different sizes, the vessels will be able to fill many roles and functions within our future network and give us a lot of deployment flexibility when they are ready to enter our fleet,” pointed out Cristescu. “Once phased in, they will replace existing capacity in our fleet.”
The delivery of the container vessels will start in 2028 and is expected to be completed in 2030.
Maersk’s August fleet update further announced the intention to charter a range of methanol and liquified gas dual-fuel vessels totalling 500,000 TEU capacity. Maersk has now finalised these charter deals across several tonnage providers. When phased in, the charter vessels will replace existing capacity.
