The container shipping company Yang Ming from Taiwan is stepping up its newbuilding program once again: 13 Neo-Panamax container ships are to be ordered.
The company announced that it had received the green light for the order from its board of directors. The ships will have a capacity of 8,000 TEU to 15,000 TEU and will replace older units in the fleet, which are significantly smaller at 5,500 TEU to 6,500 TEU and will be 20 years or older when the newbuilds are delivered.
The second goal alongside fleet renewal is greater efficiency and lower emissions in order to achieve the climate targets that the company has set itself. However, it has not yet been announced which fuel option will be chosen.
Yang Ming still leaves bunker question open
According to reports, the shipping company is looking for shipyards that can build dual-fuel ships for the subsequent use of methanol or ammonia. Initially, LNG is to be bunkered.
According to the industry service Alphaliner, Yang Ming is the tenth largest liner shipping company in the world with a total fleet capacity of 705,505 TEU. Newbuildings were last ordered in May 2023. Hyundai Heavy Industries is building five LNG-powered 15,500 TEU ships, which are scheduled for delivery in 2026. This corresponds to 11% of the existing fleet.
Yang Ming is listed on the Taipei Stock Exchange, with the Taiwanese government holding a minority stake. From February 2025, the shipping company will be a member of the “Premier Alliance”, which also includes ONE and HMM. The previous fourth partner, Hapag-Lloyd, will launch the new Gemini Cooperation together with Maersk next year.
