Danish shipping leader Maersk is set to charter a fleet of LNG dual-fuel containerships, with new vessels being built at Chinese shipyards, according to industry sources.
Recent reports indicate that Maersk has shown strong interest in chartering LNG-powered ships, marking a notable shift from its previous focus on methanol-powered vessels.
Sources have disclosed that Maersk is expected to charter up to 37 LNG dual-fuel containerships. These ships will be constructed at China’s New Times Shipbuilding and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.
SFL Corporation has recently placed an order for five LNG dual-fuel containerships, valued at $1 billion, each with a capacity of 16,800 TEU. These vessels are slated for charter to a major liner company, which sources have identified as Maersk.
Additionally, Seaspan has ordered five LNG dual-fuel containerships, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, from New Times Shipbuilding for charter to Maersk. There are also expectations that Seaspan will place an order for 22 more LNG dual-fuel containerships at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding for Maersk, including 10 vessels with a 17,000 TEU capacity and 12 vessels with an 8,000 TEU capacity.
The finalization of these orders with Yangzijiang has yet to be confirmed.
Maersk, the world’s second-largest container shipping company, follows MSC in size, with CMA CGM ranked third. Both MSC and CMA CGM are heavily investing in LNG as a maritime fuel.