Newbuilding

Yang Ming names third 15,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel boxship in South Korea

Company held a naming ceremony at HD HHI shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, for “YM Wayfinder”, the third vessel in its series of LNG dual-fuel container vessels built by HD HHI.

Published

2 months ago

June 29, 2026

Admin

Yang Ming names third 15,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel boxship in South Korea

Taiwanese shipping firm Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) on Friday (26 June) said it held a naming ceremony at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, for YM Wayfinder.

It is the third vessel in its series of 15,500 TEU-class LNG dual-fuel container vessels built by HD HHI.

Mrs. Wei-Nung Kao, the spouse of Yang Ming’s Chairman, Mr. Feng-Ming Tsai, was invited as the Godmother to officially name the vessel and perform the ceremonial cord-cutting.

As additional LNG dual-fuel vessels join the fleet, Yang Ming will enhance operational efficiency, strengthen service competitiveness, and further reduce fleet carbon intensity to provide customers with low-carbon transportation services.

This series of vessels built by HD HHI has a length overall (LOA) of 364.97 metres, a breadth of 51 metres, and a capacity of approximately 15,600 TEU.

In alignment with the global net-zero emissions target by 2050, Yang Ming has been actively expanding its energy-efficient fleet and is the first container shipping company in Taiwan to operate vessels utilising LNG as an alternative fuel.

Equipped with high-pressure dual-fuel main engines that run on both LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil, this series of vessels primarily utilises LNG as fuel upon delivery, which immediately reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20% compared to conventional fuel oil.

Two sister vessels in the LNG dual-fuel series, YM Willpower and YM Worthiness, are already in service and primarily operate on LNG. To date, the two vessels have bunkered more than 11,158 metric tonnes (mt) of LNG, which is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12,532 mt.

YM Wayfinder is scheduled to commence service on the Asia-North Europe FE3 service on 1 July.

The vessel’s deployment will enable Yang Ming to maximise slot utilization and enhance the competitiveness of its service network while fulfilling the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive, efficient, and energy-saving transportation services for customers.

The comprehensive port rotation for the FE3 service is: Qingdao – Ningbo – Yantian – Singapore – Felixstowe – Antwerp – Hamburg.

Photo credit: Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation
Published: 29 June, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

South Korea’s Polaris Shipping orders tri-fuel bulk carriers for Vale charter deal

Bulk carriers, which will be delivered sequentially from 2031, will be equipped with WinGD-developed engines capable of using methanol, ethanol and heavy fuel oil as marine fuels.

Published

1 day ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

South Korea’s Polaris Shipping orders tri-fuel bulk carriers for Vale charter deal

South Korean shipowner Polaris Shipping recently said it has signed a newbuilding contract for four tri-fuel vessels with Chinese shipbuilder Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry on 4 August.

The 210,000-dwt Newcastlemax bulk carriers, which will be delivered sequentially from 2031, will be equipped with WinGD-developed engines capable of using methanol, ethanol and heavy fuel oil as marine fuels.

The vessels are also designed as LNG- and ammonia-ready ships, allowing them to be converted to LNG or ammonia propulsion in the future.

Polaris Shipping also plans to significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by applying various energy-saving technologies, including wind-assist propulsion systems, rotor sails, departure optimisation and land-based systems, to the vessels.

Polaris Shipping has completed a 25-year long-term charter contract for the bulk carriers with Brazilian iron ore producer Vale.

Polaris Shipping plans to sign construction contracts for up to four additional 210,000-dwt eco-friendly Newcastlemax bulk carriers with Chinese shipbuilder Hengli Heavy Industries in the near future. The Newcastlemax bulk carriers ordered from Hengli will be built as high-efficiency, environmentally friendly vessels to replace the company’s existing older bulk carriers.

Photo credit: Polaris Shipping
Published: 13 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Somtrans launches new 20,000 cbm LNG bunkering barge in China

Barge is now one step closer to joining Somtrans’ fleet in January next year and beginning its journey at sea.

Published

3 days ago

August 11, 2026

Admin

Somtrans launches new 20,000 cbm LNG bunkering barge

Tanker shipping company Somtrans on Saturday (8 August) said its new 20,000 m³ LNG bunkering barge has successfully been launched at China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co Ltd (CIMC SOE).

The company said the barge is now one step closer to joining its fleet in January next year and beginning its journey at sea.

“From the first plans to seeing the barge enter the water, this project has involved years of expertise, teamwork and dedication from many people,” it said in a social media post.

Separately, RensenDriessen Shipbuilding, which acted as a broker in the project, said the vessel was built by CIMC SOE, with newbuilding supervision carried out by EXMAR.

Photo credit: Somtrans
Published: 11 August, 2026

Methanol

COSCO Shipping deploys methanol-ready grain carrier on South America-China routes

“Guo Liang Hai” is equipped with a smart management system, low-carbon design features and a methanol-ready fuel interface, supporting future energy transition pathways.

Published

1 week ago

August 7, 2026

Admin

COSCO Shipping deploys methanol-ready grain carrier on South America-China routes

COSCO Shipping on Thursday (6 August) said a methanol-ready 80,000 DWT multi-purpose grain carrier, GUO LIANG HAI, has officially been delivered and entered service.

At nearly 230 metres in length, Guo Liang Hai is equipped with a smart management system, low-carbon design features and a methanol-ready fuel interface, supporting future energy transition pathways.

“As the sixth vessel in its series, she is part of the world’s first 80,000 DWT vessel class specifically designed for grain transportation. But grain is only part of the story,” the company said in a social media post.

The company said the vessel combines the efficiency of a bulk carrier with the flexibility of a multi-purpose ship.

In addition to commodities such as soybeans, maize and wheat, it can also transport grain and dry bulk cargo, containers, wind power equipment, rolling stock and rail equipment, new energy vehicles and large-scale industrial machinery.

“Already deployed on routes between South America and China, vessels in this series create value in both directions, carrying agricultural imports while supporting exports of Chinese-made equipment and technology,” the company added.

Photo credit: COSCO Shipping
Published: 7 August, 2026