Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. has officially named the YM Wayfinder, a 15,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20% compared to conventional fuel oil. Scheduled to enter the Asia–North Europe FE3 service on July 1, 2026, the vessel marks a major step forward in the carrier’s fleet decarbonization strategy and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Ulsan, South Korea | June 26, 2026 – Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) has officially christened the YM Wayfinder, marking a significant milestone in the carrier’s fleet renewal program and its transition toward lower-carbon maritime operations.
The naming ceremony took place on June 26, 2026, at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. The event was attended by senior executives from both companies, with Mrs. Wei-Nung Kao, spouse of Yang Ming’s Chairman, Mr. Feng-Ming Tsai, serving as the vessel’s Godmother. Following traditional maritime custom, Mrs. Kao officially named the vessel and performed the ceremonial cord-cutting to wish the ship safe voyages and full cargo holds.
The YM Wayfinder is the third in a series of advanced 15,500 TEU-class liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container ships constructed by HD HHI for the Taiwanese ocean carrier.
Technical Specifications and Environmental Performance
The YM Wayfinder is designed to balance mega-ship scale with strict modern environmental compliance.
Key Dimensions & Capacity
- Length Overall (LOA): 364.97 meters
- Breadth: 51 meters
- Nominal Capacity: Approximately 15,600 TEU
Propulsion & Emissions Profile
The vessel is equipped with high-pressure dual-fuel main engines capable of operating on both LNG and conventional low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO). By prioritizing LNG propulsion from day one, the YM Wayfinder achieves an immediate 20% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to traditional standard fuel oil designs. This aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) decarbonization trajectories and Yang Ming’s internal target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
The deployment builds on empirical operational data gathered from the vessel’s sister ships, YM Willpower and YM Worthiness, which are already active. According to Yang Ming, these first two sister vessels have successfully bunkered more than 11,158 metric tons of LNG, yielding an estimated lifecycle reduction of up to 12,532 metric tons of GHG emissions.
Strategic Deployment on the FE3 Service
The YM Wayfinder is scheduled to officially enter commercial service on July 1, 2026, joining THE Alliance’s Asia–North Europe FE3 loop.
According to Yang Ming, adding this highly efficient tonnage to the FE3 string allows the carrier to maximize slot utilization, optimize unit costs, and offer cargo owners a verified low-carbon transport option on a high-volume trade lane.
The comprehensive port rotation for the FE3 service is structured as follows:
Qingdao (China) ➔ Ningbo (China) ➔ Yantian (China) ➔ Singapore ➔ Felixstowe (UK) ➔ Antwerp (Belgium) ➔ Hamburg (Germany)
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 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.
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:
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
- ISM Code (International Safety Management)
Yang Ming’s Decarbonization Strategy
As the first container shipping line in Taiwan to introduce LNG-powered vessels into its active fleet, the company is leveraging dual-fuel technology as a primary bridge-fuel solution. Alongside its LNG investments, Yang Ming is actively future-proofing its pipeline with methanol dual-fuel-ready newbuildings to maintain flexibility as alternative marine fuel supply chains mature globally.
Source: Yang Ming Marine Transport