After announcing the acquisition of three newbuildings of 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel powered container ships, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming), the world’s 10th largest and the second largest liner operator in Taiwan Province of China, has initiated a tender process for up to 10 large container ships.
On April 1, Yang Ming announced the opening of the bidding process for three 8,000 TEU container ships and seven 15,000 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fueled container ships. The deadline for bids is April 15 and shipbuilders from South Korea, Japan and Taiwan Province are expected to compete. Sources said shipbuilders in China will not participate in the bidding.
According to the bidding documents, the 8,000 TEU container ships will have a length of not more than 275 meters, a beam of not more than 45 meters, a speed of 20.5-22 knots, and a range of about 24,700 nautical miles; and the 15,000 TEU LNG dual-fueled container ships will have a length of not more than 370 meters, a breadth of not more than 51.25 meters, a speed of 22 knots, and a range of about 25,600 nautical miles (LNG fuel mode) to 13,800 nautical miles ( fuel mode).
At the end of 2024, Yang Ming announced its plan to build up to 13 new 8,000TEU to 15,000TEU container ships to ensure sustainable business growth in the medium to long term.In mid-March 2025, Yang Ming confirmed that it will order six 8,000TEU container ships and up to seven 15,000TEU container ships to replace the 5,500 TEU to 6,500 TEU container ships in its fleet that are more than 20 years old.
Ahead of the launch of the tender process for up to 10 large container ships, Yang Ming has announced on March 31 the acquisition of three newbuildings of 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fueled container ships from Japanese owner Shoei Kisen. The three newbuildings are being constructed at Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan’s largest shipbuilding group, and are expected to be delivered in 2028 and 2029. The total value of the deal is between $339 million and $360 million, with each ship valued at between $113 million and $120 million.
Excluding Imabari Shipbuilding’s three vessels under construction, Yang Ming has nearly 100 ships, 59 of which are owned, and five 15,500 TEU newbuild container ships to be delivered from 2026, built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, with a total order value of $946.62 million.
Since May 2023 (i.e. the 5 newbuilding order with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries), Yang Ming has not entered into a newbuilding contract and has been committed to gradually expanding its fleet through the second-hand ship market.