International Logistics & Freight
According to reports from TradeWinds, Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk plans to place orders for up to 32 LNG dual-fuel container ships across three shipyards, with a total investment exceeding $6.6 billion. To stay competitive in the market, Maersk also plans to add 20 LNG dual-fuel container ships through charter agreements, potentially increasing its fleet by 62 vessels in the near future.
International Logistics & Freight
Maersk has already reached an agreement with South Korean shipyard Hanwha Ocean to order six 16,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships, each costing approximately $220 million, with an option for four additional vessels. These ships are expected to be delivered in 2027. Additionally, the company has signed letters of intent with China’s New Times Shipbuilding and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding to order six vessels of the same specifications, with options for more. These ships are expected to be delivered in 2027 and 2028.
Maersk stated that, as part of its fleet renewal plan initiated in 2021, the company is actively placing new shipbuilding orders and signing charter agreements to renew about 160,000 TEU of its fleet annually. To maintain long-term competitiveness and meet its decarbonization targets, Maersk has chosen methanol and LNG dual-fuel ships. The company anticipates a multi-fuel future, including the use of liquefied bio-methane. Once the new ships are delivered, around 25% of Maersk's fleet will be equipped with dual-fuel engines.
International Logistics & Freight
While Maersk has not yet decided on the exact number of dual-fuel vessels, it plans to order a total of 50-60 ships, with 300,000 TEU being owned by Maersk and another 500,000 TEU obtained through charter agreements. To ensure a green fuel supply for the new ships, Maersk has already begun securing liquefied bio-methane purchase agreements.
In the charter market, Maersk has signed a 10-year lease with John Fredriksen-controlled SFL Corp to charter five 16,800 TEU LNG dual-fuel ships, with a total contract value of $1.2 billion. Additionally, Maersk plans to charter six 8,400 TEU LNG dual-fuel ships ordered by Evangelos Marinakis’ private company Capital Maritime & Trading. These ships are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2028.
International Logistics & Freight
Canadian shipowner Seaspan Corp is also likely to become a major leasing partner for Maersk, as Seaspan is currently building at least 19 LNG dual-fuel container ships in two Chinese shipyards, with deliveries scheduled from 2027 to 2028.
Maersk’s large-scale ship acquisition is seen as a crucial move to catch up with its competitors. Previously, companies like France’s CMA CGM and MSC had already ordered significant numbers of LNG dual-fuel ships, while Maersk initially chose methanol as its preferred fuel, ordering 25 related vessels. However, faced with a methanol supply shortage and tight shipbuilding resources, Maersk confirmed this strategic shift in August.
These moves not only mark a significant shift in Maersk’s fuel strategy but could also reshape the competitive landscape of the global container shipping market. As LNG dual-fuel vessels become more widespread, how Maersk balances the application of both new and old fuel technologies will become a focal point of industry attention.
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International Logistics & Freight
