Yang Ming expands fleet with seven LNG Dual-fuel vessels

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation has signed a shipbuilding contract with South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. for the construction of seven 16,000 TEU-class LNG dual-fuel container vessels.

Yang Ming expands fleet with seven LNG Dual-fuel vessels

The agreement was signed by Yang Ming Chairman Chuck Tsai and Hanwha Ocean CEO Charles Kim. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029.

Each vessel will have a capacity of 15,880 TEU and will be equipped with LNG dual-fuel propulsion, with specifications enabling future conversion to ammonia fuel.

These are the first containerships in Taiwan to be classified as Ammonia Fuel Ready (AFR).

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded the design the “Ammonia Fuel Ready Level 1C” notation, indicating that the vessels meet current regulatory standards while allowing for a future transition to ammonia.

The newbuilds will also feature the world’s first Type-B LNG fuel tank with a 1.0 bar design pressure, developed through a Joint Development Project between Hanwha Ocean and ABS.

This design improves safety and operational efficiency compared to the more commonly used 0.7 bar tanks and is intended to support compliance with forthcoming shore-power regulations.

LNG remains one of the most established transitional fuels for reducing GHG emissions in maritime transport.

Vessels using LNG dual-fuel technology can reduce GHG emissions by approximately 20 per cent compared to conventional marine fuels.

In addition to this new order, Yang Ming has five 15,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels scheduled for delivery beginning in 2026.

Together, these 12 vessels will significantly increase the share of alternative-fuel tonnage in the company’s fleet.

Ammonia is gaining attention as a potential marine fuel due to its zero carbon dioxide emissions during combustion.

Its integration into LNG-ready tank designs can lower the cost of fuel transition and is supported by a developing supply chain and infrastructure.

Preparing these new vessels for ammonia adoption positions Yang Ming to meet future international decarbonisation regulations and increase its operational flexibility.

Yang Ming’s latest investment is part of its broader fleet renewal strategy, which includes phasing out older vessels, increasing energy efficiency, and expanding the use of alternative fuels to meet evolving regulatory and market requirements.

Last month, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), Yang Ming Marine Transport, and Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced a coordinated restructuring of their Asia–Mediterranean, Transpacific, and Middle East services.