Two of the world’s leading container lines are taking different directions on respective newbuilding projects.
Danish giant AP Moller-Maersk has stalled a significant order while Evergreen Marine Corp has signed a fresh deal.
Brokers said Maersk has delayed an order for up to 15 methanol dual-fuel 3,500-teu boxships for reasons which are unclear.
However, a Maersk spokesperson said the liner company had never confirmed the order and declined to comment further.
In December, Maersk was reported to have chosen China’s CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding to construct the series of sub-panamax boxships for delivery between 2026 and 2027 for about $68m each.
“We understand AP Moller-Maersk will review the project again in the latter half of this year,” one broker said.
State-owned CSSC Huangpu specialises in building midsize vessels but does not construct tankers.
Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network shows the yard has 91 newbuildings on its orderbook, which include kamsarmax bulkers, container ships up to 4,400 teu, handysize multipurpose heavylift vessels and some tugs and salvage boats.
Meanwhile, liner giant Evergreen has chosen China’s CSSC Huangpu to construct six dual-fuel 2,400-teu boxship newbuildings, TradeWinds understands.
News of Evergreen considering an order for the sextet was first reported in TradeWinds in April.
Shipbuilding sources said CSSC Huangpu, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and CSBC Corp were competing for Evergreen’s newbuilding project.
But CSSC Huangpu emerged as the winner due to its competitive price.
Brokers following Evergreen’s boxship deal said the company is paying about $53m each for the methanol dual-fuel newbuildings.
TradeWinds learned that Evergreen has not officially signed the contract with the yard, but the deal should be sealed by the end of May.
Evergreen is said to have specified it will take delivery of the sextet from the second half of 2027. It has planned to deploy the vessels for European trades.
CSSC Huangpu is currently carrying out a 24-ship newbuilding contract for Evergreen worth between $958m and $1.098bn.
The deal is for two 1,900-teu vessels, 11 ships of 2,300 teu and another 11 vessels of 3,000 teu. These will be powered by conventional marine fuel.
Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network shows CSSC Huangpu has delivered three of the ships — the 3,000-teu Ever Vim (built 2024) and the 1,900-teu Ever Champ (built 2023) and Ever Chart (built 2024).
