Major developments in the container ship newbuilding market this week.

Maersk has now selected China’s New Times Shipbuilding (NTS) to build up to 12 LNG dual-fuel mainline container vessels, in a deal valued at approximately USD 2.3 billion.

The order consists of 8 firm ships + 4 optional, with deliveries scheduled for 2028–2029.

According to Alphaliner，At ~18,000 TEU, the vessels represent a new compact Megamax generation — comparable to Maersk’s first EEE-class ships, but with optimized hull form and improved fuel efficiency.

Brokers indicate a price of USD 193–195 million per vessel, described as “competitive at the lower end of the market range” for ships of this size and specification. Korean yards exited early, unable to match China’s pricing and delivery conditions—another clear signal of China’s strengthened position in large containership construction.

This move builds on Maersk’s existing cooperation with NTS, where 26 LNG dual-fuel newbuildings (16,800 TEU, 15,000 TEU and 8,700 TEU) are already under construction or charter arrangements through partners including Seaspan, SFL and Capital Maritime.

Strategic Context
After pioneering the methanol-fuel narrative, Maersk has taken a pragmatic dual-path approach:
LNG for execution today. Methanol and ammonia for long-term decarbonisation.

At the same time, Maersk is rolling out green retrofit programs across 200 time-chartered vessels, targeting a 35% reduction in Scope 1 emissions by 2030, and net-zero before 2040.

Why this matters
This order reflects more than a fleet renewal initiative. It signals:
The continued rise of China as the global center of large-boxship production

A maturing “transition fuel” strategy centered on LNG-scale readiness

The beginning of a new replacement cycle across the deepsea container fleet

In short, a strategic move with immediate operational impact and long-term climate alignment.

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