Container shipping is accelerating its shift toward LNG-fuelled vessels, as new entrants like Yang Ming begin deploying dual-fuel ships for the first time, according to Alphaliner.
Last week, Yang Ming took delivery of its first LNG dual-fuel vessel. The 15,600 TEU YM WILLPOWER, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, is the first of five maxi Neo-Panamax vessels with LNG dual-fuel propulsion scheduled for delivery to Yang Ming this year and in early 2027.
Until now, all of Yang Ming’s ships were conventionally powered, and the carrier’s 96-vessel fleet did not include any LNG- or methanol-capable units. YM WILLPOWER will be followed by four sister vessels: YM WORTHINESS, YM WAYFINDER, YM WEIGHT, and YM WAVERIDER. The five ships were ordered in 2023.
Meanwhile, New Times Shipyard delivered the 11,400 TEU MSC BOSTON, the penultimate unit in a series of ten LNG dual-fuel vessels being delivered to MSC in 2025 and early 2026. The final vessel in the series, MSC SABRINA, is scheduled to enter service in April.
This latest delivery brings MSC’s active LNG fleet close to 90 vessels, representing more than one-third of all LNG-powered container ships currently in service. The company has recently overtaken CMA CGM, which now ranks second with 76 LNG-equipped units.
Source: Alphaliner
