Yang Ming orders six LNG dual-fuel boxships worth up to $1.2bn
The Taiwanese carrier selects Hanwha Ocean for a newbuilding programme of 13,000 TEU vessels as part of a wider fleet renewal push
Yang Ming Marine Transport has selected Hanwha Ocean to build a six-ship newbuilding programme worth up to $1.22 billion, adding LNG dual-fuel tonnage to its fleet renewal plans. The vessels will each have a capacity of around 13,000 TEU and are priced between $185 million and $204 million apiece, though final contract terms including delivery schedule and construction site remain under discussion.
The Taiwanese carrier approved the six-ship plan earlier this year as part of a broader strategy to replace older tonnage in the 4,250 to 6,500 TEU range with larger, more efficient ships suited to major east-west trades. The move reflects a wider pattern among container lines of retiring smaller, less fuel-efficient vessels in favour of larger dual-fuel newbuildings capable of running on LNG to reduce emissions intensity.
The order marks Yang Ming's second major newbuilding programme placed at Hanwha Ocean. Last year, the carrier ordered seven 16,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels for delivery between 2028 and 2029. Completion of the latest six-ship contract would take Yang Ming's total pipeline at the South Korean yard to thirteen vessels, underscoring the depth of the relationship between the two companies.
Yang Ming's broader newbuilding programme extends beyond Hanwha Ocean. The carrier also has LNG dual-fuel tonnage entering service from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, alongside three methanol-ready vessels of around 8,000 TEU on order in Japan. The spread of orders across multiple yards and fuel types reflects the wider industry trend of carriers hedging between LNG and methanol as they work toward decarbonisation targets without fully committing to a single fuel pathway.
With container shipping continuing to see strong newbuilding demand for larger, cleaner tonnage, Yang Ming's latest order adds to a growing orderbook of LNG dual-fuel vessels across the sector. The final terms of the Hanwha Ocean contract, once confirmed, will determine exactly when the new ships begin entering service and which of Yang Ming's older vessels they are intended to replace.
