Maersk is apparently planning to order further newbuilds for its container fleet: This involves a series of twelve ships, each with a capacity of 12,000 TEU.
According to broker reports, the Danish No. 2 in global liner shipping has already made enquiries with several shipyards in China. Alphaliner reports that the newbuildings are likely to use gas (LNG) as fuel for their main engines.
Maersk initially focused heavily on the methanol option and was also the first shipping company to take such ships into regular liner service. But then came the change of course.
At the end of last year, Maersk had already ordered a total of 20 LNG-powered newbuilds and also secured a further 14 ships via long-term charter contracts from other ship owners.
From 2027 to 2030, Maersk will then receive 16 ships with a capacity of around 17,000 TEU from YZJ and NTS, twelve ships with a capacity of 15,000 TEU from Hanwha Ocean and NTS and a further six ships with a capacity of 9,000 TEU from YZJ.
However, a further 19 methanol container ships will also be put into service, as well as some smaller ships with conventional propulsion solutions.
To date, the order book comprises 53 ships with 753,000 TEU. The total capacity of the fleet is 4.55 million TEU. This makes Maersk the No. 2 in liner shipping, with a clear lead over industry leader MSC (6.4 million TEU) and CMA CGM as No. 3 with 3.9 million TEU.
Since February 1, Maersk has been operating together with Hamburg Lloyd (No. 5, 2.35 million TEU) in the Gemini Cooperation. The Hamburg-based company also ordered additional ships immediately after the launch of the alliance.
