Danish shipping and integrated logistics titan A.P. Moller – Maersk is enlarging its fleet by placing an order for the construction of eight large vessels with China’s New Times Shipbuilding.
Maersk has signed an order for eight large vessels that have the same characteristics with New Times Shipbuilding in China for a new series of 18,600 TEU vessels, which are slated for delivery in 2029 and 2030. The Danish giant now has 33 vessels on order, with four scheduled for delivery in the remainder of 2026.
Anda Cristescu , Head of Chartering & Newbuilding at Maersk, commented: “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.”
With 366 meters in length and 58.6 meters in breadth, these vessels are said to be more compact than the current maximum container vessel length of 400 meters. The ships will be equipped with dual-fuel engines able to operate on conventional bunker fuel or liquified gas.
“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,” added Cristescu.
This multi-vessel order comes shortly after Maersk took delivery of the first of six dual-fuel mid-size container vessels being built at China’s Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group in Jingjiang.