Seatrade Maritime: Yang Ming orders six container ships at Japanese shipyards

Taiwan’s Yang Ming has signed contracts for six 8,000 teu-class methanol dual-fuel-ready containerships with Nihon Shipyard, Imabari Shipbuilding, and Shoei Kisen Kaisha.

The contracts include the purchase of three containerships and newbuilding orders for another three. These vessels are scheduled for delivery starting in 2028, marking a key step in Yang Ming’s fleet optimization plan to secure mid- to long-term capacity supply and strengthen its global service network.

The containerships will be the first batch in Yang Ming’s fleet to adopt methanol dual-fuel-ready specifications. Upon delivery, the new vessels will gradually replace Yang Ming’s 5,500 teu-class containerships that have been in service for over 20 years. 

“Through its long-standing collaboration with Nihon Shipyard, Imabari Shipbuilding, and Shoei Kisen, Yang Ming continues to advance ship decarbonization technologies,” said Yang Ming.

The company said the main engine design of these vessels was prepared for future conversion to green methanol fuel, and the propulsion system will feature high-efficiency propeller, energy-saving rudder, and rudder fin to further optimise performance.