The list of contenders to build 12 methanol dual-fuel boxships for AP Moller-Maersk has been narrowed down to two Chinese shipyards, TradeWinds has learnt.
State-owned CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding and Singapore-listed Yangzijiang Shipbuilding are the only yards left in the running for the 3,500-teu orders, thought to be worth $840m, shipbuilding sources said.
News of the project was first reported in TradeWinds in October when Maersk was said to be on the hunt for 10 to 15 vessels.
Yangzijiang, CSSC Huangpu Wenchong, Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard and Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering were some of the yards that were said to have been asked to submit quotes.
One shipbuilding expert estimated the cost per ship at $70m.
TradeWinds has since learnt that Maersk will be looking for 12 newbuildings, and there is a possibility that it may switch to ammonia dual-fuel vessels, even though the original tender specifies methanol.
One broker said the limited supply of carbon-neutral green methanol, with a corresponding high price, could be the reason for the fuel switch.
Maersk now has 24 methanol-capable vessels on order for delivery between 2024 and 2027, and a policy to order only ships that come with a green fuel option.
France’s CMA CGM was recently reported to be reviewing its choice of fuelling for eight methanol dual-fuel 9,200-teu boxships ordered at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding.
A source said it was considering switching to LNG dual-fuelling, which would bump the price per ship by about $10m to around $137m each.
The 12-ship sub-panamax orders would be the second newbuilding project that Maersk has put out this year.
In June, it contracted Yangzijiang to build six 9,000-teu methanol dual-fuel neo-panamaxes. The deal included options for two to four more vessels.
The liner giant was reported to be paying about $115m apiece for the vessels, which are scheduled to deliver between June 2026 and March 2027.
Shipbuilding sources said there is little demand for container ship newbuildings of more than 9,000 teu. However, there has been a rise in enquiries for feeder boxships and sub-panamaxes.
Officials at Yangzijiang and CSSC Huangpu Wenchong were not available for comment. Maersk traditionally does not comment on its commercial newbuilding activities.
