Maersk has placed an order for eight large container vessels, each with around 18,600 TEU capacity, underlining its ongoing fleet renewal and deployment flexibility strategy. The vessels will be built at New Times Shipbuilding in China. All are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030 and will feature dual-fuel engines capable of operating on conventional bunker fuel and liquefied gas.
These vessels measure roughly 366–368 meters in length and 58.6 meters in breadth, making them slightly smaller than the industry’s longest container ships but still carrying around 18,600 TEU.
Maersk highlights that the new ships will be more compact and flexible than the largest container ships currently in service, offering greater deployment options across global services without being restricted to the biggest trade routes. This approach supports the company’s strategy of maintaining competitive capacity while managing operational flexibility.
This new order adds to Maersk’s existing book of ships on order and complements other recent deliveries, such as a mid-size 9,000 TEU series equipped with methanol-capable dual-fuel engines.
