Maersk has announced the signing of a contract with the Chinese shipyard New Times Shipbuilding for the construction of eight container ships of 18,600 TEU, a new series whose deliveries are scheduled between 2029 and 2030. The vessels, measuring 366 meters in length and 58.6 meters in beam, rank slightly below the largest container ships currently in operation.
The new units will be equipped with dual-fuel engines, capable of operating on both conventional fuel and liquefied natural gas (LNG). This choice represents a shift from the previous orders of the Danish company, which had opted for methanol as an alternative fuel. The decision seems to respond to the still insufficient availability of alternative fuels like methanol in the global bunker market.
"Deployment flexibility has been a key factor in our decision-making," said Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering and New Builds at Maersk. "Although these ships are large, they offer more options than the larger vessels currently being built in our industry. This provides us with multiple deployment options both in our current network and in the future." According to Cristescu, the order is part of the company's fleet renewal program and aims to maintain its fleet's competitiveness.
With this order, Maersk adds a total of 33 vessels to its orderbook, four of which are scheduled for delivery later in 2026.
The announcement comes shortly after the publication of Maersk’s results for 2025, which showed a significant decline in the company’s maritime business in the context of falling freight rates. During the results presentation to investors, Maersk's CEO, Vincent Clerc, indicated that the company would focus on cost discipline without giving up the necessary investments to grow in line with the market.
The order comes at a time of notable hold capacity in the sector and with a particularly large orderbook for new builds. While part of the excess capacity has been absorbed by diverting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope — avoiding transit through the Red Sea — the anticipated return to the Suez Canal route could increase pressure on the market.
Patrick Jany, Maersk's CFO, explained that many older ships are still in operation and that, given the current freight rate levels, they are economically unviable. Therefore, if these market conditions persist, they are likely to be scrapped or remain idle. The company anticipates that this process will accelerate throughout the current year, especially if the complete reopening of the Red Sea happens quickly, which could trigger a rapid market adjustment.
"Our vision is that it is unlikely the industry will experience a prolonged period of difficulties for three years," Jany said during the investor conference. "Instead, there may be one or two years of pressure, after which capacity will be withdrawn and the market will rebalance. Demand, meanwhile, remains relatively strong and is expected to stay stable in 2026, providing a basis for recovery as the excess capacity is eliminated."