Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (“Yang Ming”) and Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. (“Hanwha Ocean”) officially signed a shipbuilding contract for six 13,000 TEU class LNG dual-fuel container vessels. The contract was signed by Dr. Chuck Tsai, Chairman of Yang Ming, and Mr. Charles Kim, CEO of Hanwha Ocean. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029. They will complement Yang Ming’s existing fleet of 10,000+ TEU vessels and serve as key vessels on East-West services, with deployment flexibility across trade lanes connecting Asia with the East and West Coasts of North America, South America, and the Mediterranean. The new vessels will further optimize Yang Ming’s global fleet deployment, strengthen the competitiveness of its core services, increase the proportion of low-carbon vessels in its fleet, and enhance its green competitiveness.
Each of the six new vessels will have a capacity of up to 13,650 TEU and feature LNG dual-fuel propulsion and Ammonia Fuel Ready specifications. As Yang Ming transitions toward net-zero emissions, LNG provides a relatively mature and economically viable alternative fuel solution, capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20%. At the same time, ammonia can serve as a carbon-free fuel by utilizing converted LNG storage facilities, while offering relatively lower conversion costs and comparatively well-developed supply chains and infrastructure. The Ammonia Fuel Ready design will therefore provide Yang Ming with greater flexibility in responding to increasingly stringent international regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the vessels will be equipped with Type B LNG fuel tanks with a design pressure of 1.0 bar to enhance the safety and efficiency of LNG operations, together with a range of energy-saving technologies, including Wind Shields, Rudder Bulbs, Pre-Swirl Stators, and Shore Power Systems. Smart ship technologies and cybersecurity protection features will also be incorporated to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and reliability while effectively reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Amid ongoing global supply chain restructuring and market uncertainty, Yang Ming remains committed to the steady development of its core container shipping business while keeping pace with industry advancements. Deliveries under Yang Ming’s next-generation fleet optimization plan commenced earlier this year. By 2030, a total of 24 new vessels are expected to enter service. This includes 18 LNG dual-fuel vessels—comprising five 15,500 TEU, seven 16,000 TEU, and the six 13,000 TEU vessels under this contract—alongside six 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel-ready ships. Yang Ming will continue to advance its fleet renewal, expand its presence in niche markets, and execute a diversified clean-energy strategy to boost operational efficiency and deliver comprehensive, reliable services to customers worldwide.
Robban Assafina is now on WhatsApp channel. Click Here
