On October 28, Taiwan shipowner Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) signed a contract with Nihon Shipyard, Imabari Shipbuilding and Japanese shipowner Shoei Kisen Kaisha for the construction of six 8,000 TEU-class methanol dual-fuel reserved container vessels.
The new vessels are expected to be delivered from 2028, when they will gradually replace the 5,500 TEU class container vessels that have been in service for more than two decades.
The signing of the six 8,000 TEU class container vessels will be the first vessels in Yang Ming’s fleet to adopt the methanol dual-fuel reserved design, comprising three acquired vessels and three new vessel orders, which is a key step in Yang Ming’s plan to promote fleet optimization, aiming to ensure medium- and long-term capacity supply and strengthen the global route network.
Leveraging long-term partnerships with Nihon Shipyard, Imabari Shipbuilding, and Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Yang Ming continues to advance decarbonization technologies for vessels. This series of container vessels features a methanol-pre-designed layout, allowing for future conversion to methanol fuel. The propulsion system will be equipped with high-efficiency propellers, energy-saving rudders, and rudder blades, further optimizing performance. These designs enable the vessels to flexibly adapt to future developments in green methanol technologies and changes in environmental regulations, demonstrating Yang Ming’s unwavering commitment to supporting its customers in achieving decarbonization goals and promoting sustainable transportation.
Yang Ming stated that with its advanced energy-saving design, the new vessels will enhance the company’s competitiveness and operational flexibility across multiple trunk routes while supporting its ongoing efforts to reduce carbon intensity and comply with international environmental regulations.
Recently, Kuang Ming Shipping, a subsidiary of Yang Ming, has also accelerated its fleet renewal plan, intending to purchase four Handymax bulk carriers with deadweight tonnages ranging from 45,000 to 69,999 tons. These vessels will primarily transport bulk commodities such as coal and grain, as well as medium-to-small bulk cargoes including bauxite, fertilizers, agricultural products, cement, and steel.
Notably, in September, Yang Ming announced the formal signing of Taiwan’s first batch of LNG dual-fuel container vessels featuring ammonia-ready design. The order comprises seven vessels with a total construction cost ranging from $1.364 billion to $1.531 billion. Delivery is scheduled to commence between 2028 and 2029.
At present, Yang Ming is focusing on the steady development of its core business of container transportation, and is continuously paying attention to market dynamics, medium- and long-term route planning and international regulatory trends. By optimizing its fleet resources to enhance operational competitiveness, Yang Ming aims to build a comprehensive transportation network covering the world, expand its operational scale in line with the growth of global trade, and provide customers with safe, reliable and low-carbon transportation services.