Maersk orders 26 dual-fuel container ships for 2029-30 delivery

Maersk has placed an order for 26 large container ships as part of its strategy to modernize its global fleet and advance its energy transition, with deliveries scheduled for 2029 and 2030.

Each vessel will have capacity for 18,600 TEUs and will be equipped with dual-fuel engines capable of running on conventional marine fuels or liquefied gas.

The order marks a shift in the technological path pursued by the global shipping company.

Maersk had been at the forefront of the industry’s push toward green methanol as a key route to cutting emissions. The inclusion of liquefied gas, however, reflects a more pragmatic approach shaped by the availability of port infrastructure, bottlenecks in the global supply of green methanol and the need to gradually replace older vessels with more energy-efficient tonnage.

The addition of Maersk’s dual-fuel container ships comes as global trade undergoes significant changes and environmental requirements for shipping become more stringent.

The International Maritime Organization and the European Union, through measures including the EU Emissions Trading System and FuelEU Maritime regulation, have increased the regulatory costs associated with higher-emission vessels, putting pressure on global carriers to accelerate investment in ships capable of using alternative fuels.

Maersk is seeking to protect margins from rising regulatory costs while offering lower-carbon shipping options to major multinational customers. At the same time, the carrier is balancing ocean capacity against geopolitical volatility and seasonal swings in demand.

Source: Valor Econômico

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