Maersk picks Guangzhou Wenchong for next series of methanol-fuelled ships

Maersk has picked a yard in southern China to build its next raft of methanol-fuelled ships.

Alphaliner is reporting Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard (GWS) has won a contract to build a number of 3,500 teu dual-fuel ships for the Danish carrier. Ultimately, with options, Maersk may order up to 12 ships at the yard with the first ones slated for delivery in 2026 and 2027. The ships are reportedly costing $68m each.

“Assuming that 25% of the cost increase is related to the more expensive choice of methanol, the reported USD 68 M sticker price still means a 38% hike in newbuilding prices over three years,” Alphaliner noted in its most recent weekly report.