Yang Ming eyes up to 13 newbuilds

Taiwanese shipping line Yang Ming Marine Transport has moved to add up to 13 containerships as it looks to renew its fleet.

The world’s 10th and Taiwan’s second largest liner operator said it would order ships between 8,000 teu and 15,000 teu to replace its over-20-year-old 5,500 teu to 6,500 teu series.

Yang Ming has 97 ships on the water, 59 of which are owned, with five 15,500 teu newbuilds delivering in 2026.

The company has been gradually expanding its fleet with modern secondhand neo-panamax tonnage but has not placed any newbuilding orders since May last year.

Earlier in August, Yang Ming snapped up a pair of 11,000 teu vessels which it had on a long-term charter. The deal added to the previously five 14,000 teu and three 11,000 teu vessels acquired between July 2023 and May 2024.

Fellow carrier Wan Hai Lines has also lined up massive investments in secondhand and newbuild tonnage, including up to 16 methanol dual-fuel 8,000 teu vessels at compatriot shipbuilder CSBC Corporation and eight 16,000 teu vessels booked in South Korea.