Maersk Line has reportedly ordered up to a dozen LNG dual-fuelled 16,000 TEU container ships at New Times Shipbuilding in China, adding to growing talk that the Danish carrier is rethinking its bet on green methanol as its future marine fuel, reports Container News.
Greece’s Xclusiv Shipbrokers stated in its latest market report that Maersk Line made firm orders for six vessels at New Times, with options for another six vessels.
Total contract value
Each ship is priced at US$200 million, with delivery slated in 2028. If the options are exercised, the total contract value will be US$2.4 billion.
Maersk’s orders at Hanwha Ocean put paid to speculation that South Korea’s third-largest shipbuilder had given up on winning boxship orders. It was also Hanwha Ocean’s first boxship order after two years.
Five TEU vessels
On top of the newbuildings to be contracted by Maersk, the Danish company is understood to have chartered five 16,800 TEU vessels that John Fredriksen-controlled SFL ordered from New Times in July.
A container shipping executive told Container News that while Maersk Line had previously banked on green methanol to achieve decarbonisation, concerns about an adequate supply of the fuel may have caused the Danish line to turn to LNG.
Did you Subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Containernews
