Maersk has confirmed much-telegraphed orders in China and South Korea. The Danish carrier revealed in a release yesterday orders for 20 boxships with a combined slot total of 300,000 teu. Once phased in, they will replace existing capacity in Maersk’s fleet.
Broken down, Maersk’s latest orders include a pair of 9,000 teu vessels and six 17,000 teu vessels ordered at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding and twelve 15,000 teu ships, split evenly between Hanwha Ocean and New Times Shipbuilding. All the ships will feature LNG dual fuel propulsion, a departure from other ships ordered this decade that have predominately been methanol focused.
“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,” said Anda Cristescu, head of chartering and newbuilding at Maersk.
Maersk has remained resolute in its plans to keep its fleet size set between 4m and 4.3m slots, something that has seen Mediterranean Shipping Co surpass it in the liner rankings, with CMA CGM on track to overhaul it also.
