South Korea’s HMM has confirmed a US$2.81 billion order for 14 new vessels, including containerships and VLCCs, reports Denmark’s Shipping Telegraph.
The order comprises twelve 13,000-TEU LNG dual-fuelled container ships and two very large crude carriers.
The container vessels will be built by HD Hyundai Heavy and Hanhwa Ocean.
HMM said the move aligns with tightening decarbonization rules from the IMO and EU, with LNG seen as a viable lower-emission fuel.
The new ships will join a fleet that already includes methanol-powered and LNG-fuelled vessels.
The VLCCS will help diversify HMM’s bulk fleet portfolio.
The company said the investment supports its 2030 strategy to build a more flexible and future-ready fleet amid shifting global market and regulatory conditions.
China, Korea, Japan dominate containership orders
The global container ship orderbook has reached a record high, with over 1,000 new buildings totaling more than 10 million TEU, representing 31.1 percent of the global fleet’s slot capacity, reported Saint Petersburg’s Port News.
China, Korea and Japan account for 98.5 percent of the orderbook, led by China with 7.36 million TEU (73.7 percent), followed by Korea with 2.04 million TEU (20.5 percent) and Japan with 0.43 million TEU (4.3 percent).
Only 29 vessels are being built outside the big three nations.
Taiwan has 16 ships under construction, Turkey four, the United States three and India two.
Small orders have also been placed in Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Pakistan.
Alpha liner said some orders outside the dominant shipbuilding countries are driven by specific factors.
Turkey’s largest ships are being built at a yard affiliated with the ship owner, while US orders are shaped by Jones Act rules requiring domestic builds for routes to Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.
Egypt's Red Sea initiative to boost regional integration
Egypt will launch the Suez and Red Sea Initiative to promote economic integration among Red Sea nations, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced at the fifth Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, reports Egypt’s Al-Ahram.
Mr Abdelatty said the initiative will be implemented through year-round programmes and targeted activities led by the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), in partnership with international and regional actors.
Several memoranda of understanding will be signed during the forum to establish new partnerships.
Mr Abdelatty thanked governments, organisations and private-sector partners for their continued support.
He highlighted the significance of the African Union Commission’s High-Level Annual Retreat, held for the first time immediately after the Aswan Forum.
AU Deputy chairwoman Monique Nsanzabaganwa and Commissioner Bankole Adeoye are attending.
Mr Abdelatty expressed hope that holding both events back-to- back would deepen synergy between the platforms.
He urged the global community to rebuild a system based on cooperation, multilateralism and respect for international norms.
He also emphasised the role of artificial intelligence in advancing peace, security and development across Africa, noting its potential in food security, irrigation and manufacturing.
Addressing regional instability, Abdelatty said Egypt lost over US$9 billion in Suez Canal revenues over the past year due to reduced maritime traffic.
Vessel numbers dropped from over 72 daily to just 25-30, disrupting trade and raising costs.
Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about restoring stability to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, especially following the Gaza ceasefire on 10 October.
He warned against exploiting the suffering of Palestinians for political gain.
On broader continental issues, Mr Abdelatty highlighted Africa’s resilience and growth potential, noting it is the only continent expected to double its population by 2050, with a rising middle class and purchasing power.
Long Beach cargo volume dips in September
The Port of Long Beach saw a 3.9 percent year-on-year decline in container throughput in September, as tariffs, rising prices and softening consumer demand weighed on trade, reported Delaware’s Dredge wire.
A total of 797,537 TEU moved through the Port last month.
Imports fell 6.9 percent to 388,084 TEUS, while exports dropped 3.6 percent to 85,081 TEU.
Empty containers edged up slightly to 324,372 TEU.
Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said tariffs were influencing consumer and business spending.
He added that the Port’s digital cargo tracker forecasts a stable October, followed by a slight decline in November due to weather and vessel scheduling.
Long Beach Harbor Commission president Frank Colonna praised industry and labour partners for maintaining cargo flow, noting the Port’s role as a key transpacific gateway.
The port handled 7,390,245 TEU in the first nine months of 2025, up 6.8 percent from the same period last year.
The third quarter was its second busiest on record, with 2,643,614 TEU moved.
Evergreen orders 14 LNG dual-fuel containerships
Taiwan’s Evergreen has placed orders for 14 LNG dual-fuel container vessels, splitting the contracts evenly between Guangzhou Shipyard International and Samsung Heavy Industries, reported Singapore’s Splash 247.
The 14,000-TEU ships will cost about US$200 million each, totaling approximately US$2.8 billion.
Deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2030, according to Greek broker Intermodal.
Evergreen is currently the world’s seventh largest container and carrier, with its fleet nearing the two million TEU mark for the first time.
Earlier this year, Evergreen ordered 11 LNG dual-fuel 24,000 TEU vessels, also split between GSI and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean.
Yang Ming orders six container ships at Japanese shipyards
Yang Ming Marine has picked up Japanese shipyards for a series of methanol dual-fuel ready boxships.
Taiwan’s Yang Ming has signed contracts for six 8,000 teuclass methanol dual-fuel-ready containerships with Nihon Shipyard, Imabari Shipbuilding, and Shoei Kisen Kaisha.
The contracts include the purchase of three containerships and newbuilding orders for another three. These vessels are scheduled for delivery starting in 2028, marking a key step in Yang Ming’s fleet optimization plan to secure mid-to long-term capacity supply and strengthen its global service network.
The containerships will be the first batch in Yang Ming’s fleet to adopt methanol dual-fuel-ready specifications.
Upon delivery, the new vessels will gradually replace Yang Ming’s 5,500 teu-class containerships that have been in service for over 20 years.
Through its long-standing collaboration with Nihon Shipyard, Imabari Shipbuilding, and Shoei Kisen, Yang Ming continues to advance ship decarbonization technologies,” said Yang Ming.
The company said the main engine design of these vessels was prepared for future conversion to green methanol fuel, and the propulsion system will feature high-efficiency propeller, energy-saving rudder, and rudder fin to further optimise performance.