According to Tradewinds, Danish shipping giant Maersk Group is accelerating its fleet renewal program to address industry challenges and strengthen its market position. The group has decided to sign new shipbuilding orders for up to 32 LNG dual-fuel container ships at three shipyards with a total value of more than $6.6 billion, aiming to drive emissions reduction and enhance competitiveness by introducing environmentally friendly vessels.

    To rapidly expand its LNG dual fuel fleet, Maersk also plans to enter into charter agreements for 20 LNG dual fuel container ships through at least three owners, which is expected to enable Maersk to add up to 62 LNG dual fuel vessels in a short period of time.

    Specifically, Maersk has entered into an agreement with South Korea's Hanwha Marine to order six LNG dual-fuel 16,000TEU container ships with options for four vessels, which are expected to be delivered in 2027. At the same time, Maersk also signed letters of intent with China New Era Shipbuilding and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, planning to order another six vessels of the same specifications, with options for six and four vessels, respectively, expected to be delivered in 2028 and 2027. Maersk has not commented publicly on the orders.

    On August 7, Maersk announced on its official website the latest fleet renewal plan (the plan began in 2021), including the signing of dual-fuel new shipbuilding orders and charter contracts, aiming to update the capacity of about 160,000 TEU per year through a combination of ordering and leasing to gradually replace the old capacity and ensure that the fleet size is stable at about 4.3 million TEU.

    As of now, Maersk operates a fleet of 711 vessels with a total capacity of 4.368 million TEU, of which 333 own capacity of 2.548 million TEU, 378 leased capacity of 1.82 million TEU, and 33 new vessels of 443,600 TEU have been ordered. Maersk stressed that all new ships will be dual-fuel designed to prepare for the future use of low-emission fuels such as green methanol and liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG).

    The group has previously announced an order for 25 methanol-powered dual-fuel vessels, five of which are already operational and the rest under construction, and is working to lock in purchase and sale agreements for liquefied biomethane to ensure the new vessels can contribute to emissions reductions by 2030.

    At the time, Maersk Chief Operating Officer Rabab Boulos said that the fleet renewal program is essential to maintaining a competitive edge in the maritime business and is a cornerstone of achieving carbon-less operations. In view of the longer delivery times due to the surge in shipyard orders, Maersk has adopted a strategy of ordering and leasing in parallel to ensure sufficient capacity and establish a competitive advantage between 2026 and 2030.

    Ahmed Hassan, Head of Asset Strategy and Strategic Partnerships at Maersk, further noted that by diversifying its fleet and diversifying its fuel options, Maersk has gained greater flexibility and more knowledge and experience to meet the challenges of multiple fuels in the future. He thanked the partners for their support in promoting the process of carbon reduction in the shipping industry.

    Maersk Group's recent initiatives not only highlight its major strategic transformation in the choice of fuel technology, but also indicate that the global container shipping market is about to usher in a new round of competition. As LNG dual-fuel vessels become the industry's new favorite and gradually spread, Maersk is facing the challenge of how to effectively balance the application of new and old fuel technologies, while exploring the perfect balance between environmental protection and economic benefits.

    This strategic adjustment not only requires Maersk to continuously invest in technological innovation to ensure the environmental performance and operational efficiency of the new vessels, but also tests its management wisdom in the process of replacing old capacity. Through the parallel ordering and leasing strategy, Maersk aims to rapidly expand its LNG dual-fuel fleet and lay a solid foundation for future market competition.

    In the next few years, with the gradual delivery of these new LNG dual-fuel container ships, the competitive landscape of the global container shipping market may undergo profound changes. Maersk's strategic adjustment will undoubtedly provide strong support for its leading position in this change. At the same time, its exploration and practice in the integration of new and old fuel technologies and the balance of environmental protection and economic benefits will also set a new benchmark for the entire shipping industry and lead the industry to a greener and more efficient direction.

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