Maersk Orders 26 LNG Dual-Fuel Containerships in Major Fleet Expansion
Maersk has ordered 26 large containerships that can run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), marking a significant expansion of its fleet. The vessels, each capable of carrying 18,600 twenty-foot equivalent units (teu), will be delivered in 2029 and 2030.
The order comes after years of measured ordering by Maersk, which has previously been outpaced by other carriers such as MSC, CMA CGM, and COSCO in terms of fleet expansion. The new ships will bring the company's total capacity to approximately 4.73 million teu, with an additional 483,600 teu added through these new vessels.
The order is a significant step towards Maersk's goal of reducing its environmental impact while maintaining competitiveness in the market. LNG dual-fuel engines are seen as a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional fossil fuels, and this move may set a precedent for other shipping companies to follow suit.