COSCO has placed new orders for twelve 18,000 TEU dual-fuel LNG boxships. The $2.4 billion deal is of strategic importance for the Chinese giant, after it officially decided to reconsider its decarbonization strategies, focusing, for the first time, on liquefied natural gas propulsion for merchant vessels of this size.
The shipping company also ordered another six 3,000 TEU containerships running on traditional fuel. It had previously opted for methanol to achieve Net Zero, ordering this type of dual-fuel ships over the last six years.
According to Lloyd’s List, the current climate of regulatory uncertainty prompted the shipping company to review its priorities in terms of environmental sustainability.
The newbuildings are due to be delivered between June and December 2028. They will be deployed on east-west routes to improve service quality.
Translation by Giles Foster
