Data from Greek ship broker Intermodal showed that Japan’s Ocean Network Express (ONE) is finalizing an order with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for 8 16,000TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel powered container ships. And the order with an option for four vessels of the same types.
Including the option order, this newbuilding contract is valued at about $2.64 billion, with a single-vessel cost of about $220 million. No further details have been revealed and the shipyard has yet to confirm the order.
In recent years, ONE has been committed to ordering large container ships. The company’s original plan was for newbuildings in the 10,000 TEU to 13,000 TEU range, which was subsequently changed to 12,000 TEU to 16,000 TEU. ONE’s newbuilding program has tended to favor Korean and Japanese yards, and the latest order rumors confirm this trend.
As early as 2022, ONE ordered five 13,000TEU container ships and five 13,700TEU ammonia/methanol reserved container ships from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; ordered five 13,000TEU container ships from Imabari Shipyard; and ordered five 13,700TEU ammonia/methanol reserved container ships from Nihon Shipyard; in 2023, it ordered ten 13,700TEU ammonia/methanol reserved container ships from Nihon Shipyard.
However, in 2024, ONE will choose Chinese shipyards for the first time to build 22 methanol dual-fuel container ships in bulk, with a total value of more than US$3.74 billion, and Jiangnan Shipbuilding and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding will build 11 ships respectively.
However, in 2024, ONE selected Chinese shipyards for the first time to build 22 methanol dual-fuel container ships in batch, with a total value of more than $3.74 billion, and Jiangnan Shipyard and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding undertook the construction of 11 vesssels respectively.
Among them, Jiangnan Shipyard is expected to deliver the first vesssel by the end of 2026, and the other 10 vesssels will be delivered from 2027 to 2028; Yangzijiang Shipbuilding is expected to deliver 11 new vesssels from 2027 to 2028. The first batch of 12 vesssels will be officially announced in January 2024, which means that ONE’s first batch of methanol dual-fuel container ships has officially landed.
ONE said that the new vessel design is flexibility and agile, and will adopt the most advanced technologies, such as optimized hull structure, waste heat recovery system and bow windshields. Some new vessels will also be equipped with air lubrication systems and shaft generators to explore potential ways to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. After delivery, they will play a key role in achieving the sustainable development goals of ONE’s green strategy.
According to the official website, ONE is a joint venture established by the three major Japanese shipping companies, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), through the integration of container businesses. The company operates more than 260 vessels, providing more than 165 fast and reliable international route networks to 120 countries and regions, with a fleet size of approximately 2 million TEUs.