Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation has signed a shipbuilding contract with South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. for six 13,000-TEU class LNG dual-fuel container vessels, with deliveries scheduled between 2028 and 2029.

The contract was signed by Dr Chuck Tsai, Chairman of Yang Ming, and Charles Kim, CEO of Hanwha Ocean. Each of the six vessels will have a capacity of up to 13,650 TEU and will feature LNG dual-fuel propulsion alongside ammonia-fuel-ready specifications.

The vessels are intended to complement Yang Ming's existing fleet of 10,000-plus TEU ships, with the carrier stating they will be deployed on east–west services across trade lanes connecting Asia with the east and west coasts of North America, South America, and the Mediterranean.

The ammonia-fuel-ready design is intended to provide Yang Ming with greater flexibility in responding to tightening international greenhouse gas regulations. Yang Ming notes that ammonia's ability to utilise converted LNG storage facilities offers comparatively lower conversion costs and a relatively developed supply chain and infrastructure.

On the technical side, each vessel will be fitted with Type B LNG fuel tanks operating at a design pressure of 1.0 bar. A range of energy-saving technologies will also be incorporated, including wind shields, rudder bulbs, pre-swirl stators, and shore power systems. Smart ship technologies and cybersecurity protection features will additionally be included.

The six 13,000-TEU vessels form part of Yang Ming's broader next-generation fleet renewal programme, under which 24 new vessels are expected to enter service by 2030. The wider programme includes 18 LNG dual-fuel vessels — comprising five 15,500-TEU ships, seven 16,000-TEU ships, and the six vessels covered by this contract — alongside six 8,000-TEU methanol dual-fuel-ready ships.

Yang Ming said the new vessels will increase the proportion of low-carbon tonnage in its fleet and support the company's goal of reaching net-zero emissions. The carrier noted that LNG dual-fuel propulsion is capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20% compared with conventional fuels, adding that the programme reflects its commitment to fleet renewal and a diversified clean-energy strategy amid ongoing global supply chain restructuring and market uncertainty.