HMM is moving forward with plans to order up to twelve 13,000-TEU container ships in a deal valued at about $1.2 billion. The order is part of the company’s previously announced fleet expansion strategy, with negotiations underway with three major South Korean shipbuilders
According to TradeWinds and Portnews, HMM intends to build 13,000-TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container ships. The order includes options for six additional vessels, bringing the potential total to twelve ships. Talks are ongoing with HD Hyundai, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha Ocean. Each vessel is expected to cost between $180 million and $185 million, and HMM is reportedly seeking the earliest possible delivery dates.
The deal is part of HMM’s long-term plan to expand its fleet. In September, the company unveiled a strategy to invest $17.5 billion by 2030 to strengthen its container and bulk shipping operations. Of that, $9.4 billion is earmarked for the container segment, including $8.1 billion for eco-friendly ships. The goal is to increase capacity from 84 vessels totaling 920,000 TEU to 130 vessels with a combined capacity of 1.55 million TEU. In the bulk carrier segment, HMM plans to invest $4.4 billion to grow its fleet from 6.34 million DWT (36 ships) to 12.56 million DWT (110 ships).
HMM has already been expanding through secondhand acquisitions. Last August, it purchased three container ships from Thailand’s Regional Container Lines and Germany’s MPC Container Ships. In May, it acquired a 200,000-DWT Newcastlemax bulk carrier from Germany’s Oldendorff Carriers. As of June, HMM’s fleet comprised around 90 container ships and 45 bulk carriers.
An HMM spokesperson said, “As part of our long-term investment plan, we are reviewing various options, but no final decision has been made.”
