Taiwanese carrier Yang Ming Marine Transport has added to its methanol dual-fuel-ready 8,000 teu containership series with three newbuilds booked for construction at Japan’s Nihon Shipyard.
The deal, disclosed in a stock exchange filing, is worth between $351m and $394m, with delivery from the Imabari Shipbuilding-Japan Marine United joint venture yard scheduled between 2028 and 2030.
The order adds to a growing fleet renewal programme aimed at phasing out older ships and modernising Yang Ming’s mid-sized tonnage. The company is replacing vessels in the 5,500 to 6,500 teu range that are over two decades old.
The latest booking follows a deal with Japanese owner Shoei Kisen in March for three methanol dual-fuel-ready 8,000 teu ships under construction at Imabari, also due in 2028–2029. Once delivered, Yang Ming will operate six methanol-ready vessels in this segment.
In addition to its methanol plays, Yang Ming earlier this month signed a contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean for seven 15,500 teu LNG dual-fuel containerships in a deal valued between $1.36bn and $1.53bn. Those ships are expected in 2028 and 2029.
The company has already committed to five 15,500 teu LNG dual-fuel vessels under construction at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, with delivery beginning in 2026.
“These newbuildings are expected to stabilise mid- to long-term fleet deployment and strengthen the company’s service offerings,” Yang Ming said in a statement.
Yang Ming is currently the 10th largest liner operator globally and the second-largest in Taiwan after Evergreen, operating a fleet of roughly 100 vessels.
