A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) has signed an order for eight large vessels with New Times Shipbuilding in China, all of which will have similar characteristics and make up a new series of 18,600 TEU vessels with delivery in 2029 and 2030.
Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering and Newbuilding, Maersk, said: “We are pleased to have signed this agreement for eight large vessels. The order is part of our ongoing fleet renewal and helps maintain our fleet’s competitive edge.”
At 366m in length and 58.6m in breadth, these vessels are more compact than the current maximum container vessel length of 400m.
Cristescu added: “Deployment flexibility has been a key factor in our decision-making. Although these vessels are large, they offer greater flexibility than the largest ships currently being built in our industry. This provides us with multiple deployment options across both our current and future network.”
The ships will be equipped with dual-fuel engines which Maersk says will be able to operate on conventional bunker fuel or liquified gas. Interestingly, unlike other recent orders by Maersk, methanol readiness is not mentioned. Following this contract, Maersk now has 33 vessels on order, four of which are scheduled for delivery in the remainder of 2026.
Image: Maersk’s latest batch of dual-fuel container ship newbuilds (source: A.P. Moller-Maersk)
