A.P. Moller - Maersk has placed an order for eight large container vessels at New Times Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., with deliveries scheduled across 2029 and 2030.

The newbuilds will each have a carrying capacity of 18,600 TEU and form a single vessel series as part of Maersk’s ongoing fleet renewal programme.

Measuring 366 metres in length and 58.6 metres in breadth, the ships are slightly shorter than the industry’s largest container vessels currently in service, which reach around 400 metres.

Anda Cristescu, head of chartering and newbuilding at Maersk, said: "We are pleased to have signed this agreement for eight large vessels. The order is part of our ongoing fleet renewal and helps maintain our fleet's competitive edge."

According to Cristescu, deployment flexibility was a key factor in the decision-making process. "Although these vessels are large, they offer greater flexibility than the largest ships currently being built in our industry. This provides us with multiple deployment options across both our current and future network," she noted.

The vessels will be fitted with dual-fuel engines capable of running on conventional bunker fuel as well as liquefied gas.

Following the latest order, Maersk now has 33 vessels on order in total, with four scheduled for delivery during the remainder of 2026.

Maersk operates across more than 130 countries and has set a target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its business by 2040, supported by new vessel technologies and lower-emissions fuel solutions.