Yang Ming Marine Transport has officially signed a shipbuilding contract with Hanwha Ocean for six 13,000 TEU class LNG dual-fuel container vessels, scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029. Featuring Type B fuel tanks and an Ammonia Fuel Ready design, the ships will bolster Yang Ming’s East-West core services while advancing its multi-fuel decarbonization strategy. This order forms a core pillar of the carrier’s next-generation fleet optimization plan, targeting 24 new vessels by 2030 to enhance operational efficiency and environmental compliance.
Taipei and Geoje | September 2, 2026 – In a major move to advance its fleet decarbonization strategy, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) has officially signed a shipbuilding contract with Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. (Hanwha Ocean) for six 13,000 TEU class LNG dual-fuel container vessels.
The shipbuilding agreement was signed by Dr. Chuck Tsai, Chairman of Yang Ming, and Mr. Charles Kim, CEO of Hanwha Ocean. The newly ordered ships are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029.
Fleet Optimization and Global Deployment
The new vessels, each boasting a capacity of up to 13,650 TEU, will seamlessly integrate with Yang Ming’s existing fleet of 10,000+ TEU ships. Designed for high flexibility, they will serve as frontline assets on primary East-West trade lanes, connecting Asia with:
- The East and West Coasts of North America
- South America
- The Mediterranean
The addition of these vessels strengthens the competitiveness of Yang Ming’s core services while significantly elevating the proportion of low-carbon tonnage in its global fleet.
Cutting-Edge Green and Smart Technology Specifications
The ships are engineered with an advanced suite of environmental, safety, and digital innovations designed to meet increasingly stringent international greenhouse gas regulations:
- LNG Dual-Fuel & Ammonia Ready: Operating on LNG offers a mature, economically viable bridge solution that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20%. Furthermore, the vessels feature Ammonia Fuel Ready specifications, allowing future conversion to zero-carbon ammonia utilizing modified LNG storage facilities at a relatively lower conversion cost and leveraging developing supply infrastructures.
- Type B Fuel Tanks: Equipped with Type B LNG fuel tanks featuring a design pressure of 1.0 bar to ensure enhanced safety and operational efficiency.
- Advanced Energy-Saving Devices: Incorporates Wind Shields, Rudder Bulbs, Pre-Swirl Stators, and Shore Power Systems to drive down fuel consumption.
- Smart Ship Systems: Integrated with smart ship management tools and high-grade cybersecurity protections to maximize reliability and operational efficiency.
Yang Ming’s 2030 Fleet Modernization Vision
Amid ongoing global supply chain adjustments and market uncertainties, Yang Ming is actively executing its next-generation fleet optimization plan, with deliveries under the initiative having commenced earlier this year.
By 2030, Yang Ming anticipates a total of 24 new vessels entering service, encompassing a diversified green-energy portfolio:
- 18 LNG dual-fuel vessels, comprising:
- Five 15,500 TEU vessels
- Seven 16,000 TEU vessels
- Six 13,000 TEU vessels (under this new Hanwha Ocean contract)
- Six 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel-ready ships
Through this aggressive fleet renewal program, Yang Ming aims to cement its presence in core trade lanes, expand its footprint in niche markets, and execute a multi-fuel decarbonization roadmap to achieve long-term net-zero emissions.
Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation in Brief
Founded on December 28, 1972, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation is one of the world’s leading container shipping companies, operating a global service network that connects Asia, Europe, the Americas, Australia, and Africa.
As of September 2025, Yang Ming operates 100+ vessels, with a combined capacity of 8.236 million DWT and 727,000 TEUs. The company maintains more than 230 service locations across 80+ countries, supported by regional hubs in the United States, Panama, Germany, Greece, and Singapore.
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
- ISM Code (International Safety Management)
Yang Ming’s operations are guided by four core values: Teamwork, Innovation, Integrity, and Pragmatism. The company has consistently demonstrated leadership in operational reliability, punctuality, and service excellence, earning multiple international certifications including:
Source: Yang Ming Marine Transport