Maersk has reached agreements with three shipyards for the construction of 20 container vessels featuring dual-fuel engines.
The new vessels, which will have a combined capacity of 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).
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These ships will be equipped with liquified gas dual-fuel propulsion systems, varying in size from 9,000 to 17,000 TEU.
The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2028, with the last one scheduled for 2030. The vessels will be phased in to replace existing capacity.
All 20 ships will be powered by liquified gas dual-fuel engines, enabling Maersk to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability in its operations.
This move aligns with Maersk’s plans announced in August to refresh its fleet with more environmentally friendly ships.
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By GlobalDataThe company also announced its intention to charter additional dual-fuel vessels capable of running on methanol and liquified gas, amounting to a total capacity of 500,000 TEU.
The initiative is part of Maersk’s ongoing fleet renewal programme that began in 2021, aiming to renew around 160,000 TEU of capacity annually.
Maersk chartering and newbuilding head Anda Cristescu said: “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 programme 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.”
Maersk’s newbuilding orders comprise vessels of various sizes including two 9,000 TEU ships from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, 12 15,000 TEU vessels from Hanwha Ocean and New Times Shipbuilding, and six 17,000 TEU ships from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.
Last month, Maersk concluded the conversion of the large container vessel, Maersk Halifax, to a dual-fuel methanol engine. The retrofit was completed at Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China.
