Taiwanese Shipping Company Yang Ming Orders Environmentally Friendly Containerships

Taiwanese shipping company Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation has decided to order up to thirteen environmentally friendly 8,000 TEU to 15,000 TEU containerships.

On December 20, 2024, the company held its 400th board meeting at which a new fleet optimization plan was approved. The company said that the move was prompted by fleet replacement and business development needs.

The follow-up operations will be carried out in line with internal procedures, Yang Ming said.

“To ensure sustainable mid- to long-term business growth, the company plans to replace its over-20-year-old 5,500 TEU to 6,500 TEU class containerships and strengthen the operational advantages of Yang Ming’s main service routes,” the Taiwanese carrier explained.

“Yang Ming will comprehensively evaluate energy-saving technology developments and adopt clean energy to address climate change challenges, aiming to gradually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance corporate resilience, and provide customers worldwide with more environmentally friendly transportation solutions.”

In August 2024, Yang Ming decided to purchase two long-term chartered 11,000 TEU vessels, next to the previously acquired five 14,000 TEU and three 11,000 TEU units. The acquisition was expected to help the company address emission reduction requirements and provide flexibility for future environmental retrofitting needs.

In related news, Yang Ming, together with counterparts HMM and Ocean Network Express (ONE) is launching the Premier Alliance—a new global shipping alliance set to begin in February 2025.

The cooperation is comprised of mainline services across major East-West Tradelines: Asia – North America West Coast, Asia – North America East Coast, Asia – Mediterranean, Asia – North Europe, and Asia – Middle East.