Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has ordered twelve 13,600-teu LNG dual-fuel container vessels from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd.

The contracts were signed on 29 April, with an ordering ceremony held in Shanghai the following day.

OOCL said the newbuildings will be fitted with dual-fuel main engines capable of using LNG and conventional fuel. Once delivered, they will become the first LNG-powered ships in the carrier’s fleet.

The carrier stated that the order followed a review of environmental regulations, new-energy technology pathways, and fuel availability considerations.

Chief executive officer, Tao Weidong, noted that the investment underlined OOCL’s commitment to the shipping sector’s green transition and long-term development, while also supporting greater flexibility in fleet composition and deployment.

He added that the extra capacity would help the carrier strengthen deployment in emerging, regional and third-country trades, further optimise its global network and better serve customers’ long-term transport requirements.

OOCL is a Hong Kong-headquartered container shipping and logistics group with about 130 offices in more than 100 cities worldwide, serving major trade lanes across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Oceania.