TAIWAN’s container line Wan Hai has returned to South Korean shipyards for a fresh series of methanol dual-fuel-ready 16,000 TEU vessels.
The Taipei-headquartered company has commissioned two newbuilds each at HD Hyundai Samho and Samsung Heavy Industries in a deal worth up to US$816 million, according to London’s Port Technology International.
The units at HD Hyundai cost between $186.5 million and $204 million per ship, while those that will be built at Samsung are priced from $187.6 million to $204 million.
The price includes an upgrade of the equipment on the vessels, Wan Hai said in a stock exchange filing.
In October last year, the world’s 11th largest box line contracted the same yards to build four 16,000 TEU vessels, each valued at a similar level as the latest new buildings.
The same year in August, Wan Hai set out to expand its fleet with up to 20 methanol dual-fuel vessels, signing up for 12 firms and four optional 8,000 TEU ships at CSBC Corporation and four 8,700 TEU newbuilds at HD Hyundai Samho.
The October 16,000 TEU conventionally fuelled methanol- ready series delivering in 2027 and 2028 and Wan Hai’s biggest box ships on order to date, are reportedly being evaluated for conversion to LNG dual-fuel, adding about $30 million in additional cost per newbuild.
Maersk upgrades IoT connectivity across its fleet
Copenhagen, Denmark – A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) is taking a significant step in digital innovation with the deployment of its next-generation IoT connectivity platform, One Wireless, across 450 vessels.
This includes all Maersk-owned vessels and more than 100 time-chartered vessels in the fleet.
The platform is designed to meet the increasing demand for real-time data transmission and provide advanced IoT capabilities.
With our next-generation connectivity platform, we will be able to offer our customers notable benefits, including real-time cargo tracking, enhanced supply chain visibility, and improved operational efficiency.
This platform is designed to support thousands of IoT devices, ensuring optimal performance for reefer tracking and fleet IoT. – Kjeld Dittmann
Through the Captain Peter solution, Maersk customers can already monitor the temperature of their reefer cargo, but the current 2G network infrastructure onboard limits the frequency of data point updates. With the roll-out of One Wireless, this infrastructure is transitioning to 4G technology, enabling a substantial increase in data granularity and paving the way for smarter cargo tracking and enhanced operational insights
.
This upgrade to our loT infrastructure is comparable to the shift consumers experienced when moving from 2G to 4G mobile networks.
Just as that transition brought faster speeds, better connectivity, and new possibilities for our everyday live, the One Wireless platform transforms how it is possible to communicate with cargo aboard.
With real-time data sharing at unprecedented speed and reliability, we are unlocking new levels of efficiency and operational excellence to meet the demands of a connected, data driven world.
Built for the future of global trade.
The One Wireless platform is a single, unified network designed to support multiple wireless technologies (NB-IoT, Cat-M, and LTE broadband) offering scalability,
security, and flexibility, enabling Maersk customers to seamlessly integrate their IoT devices and services.
The solution is designed for seamless interoperability between private and public networks, ensuring Maersk customers’ cargo is reliably monitored whether at sea, in port, or on land, thus enabling BYOIoT (bring Your Own IoT) solutions based on standards for customers.
While the platform delivers seamless performance for connected container and cargo montoring solutions, its underlying technology is anything but simple.
It is the result of a strategic blend of advanced components, meticulously selected through close collaboration with leading tech partners including Onomondo, Nokia, 42com Sat, Complea, and Zededa.
The platform roll-out has begun and is on track for completion by the first quarter of 2026.
Since the upgrade involves hardware replacements aboard vessels, the process demands careful planning and must be executed during scheduled port calls.
CGM CMA to buy Brazilian marine terminal operator
FRENCH shipping giant CMA CGM says it has closed the first stage in its planned acquisition of Santos Brasil, a multi terminal operator in Brazil including the Port of Santos.
CMA CGM announced in September 2024 its intention to acquire the company first buying shares from an institutional fund manager and then launching a tender offer
for the remaining shares.
The acquisition comes as
South America and specifically Brazil continues to draw investments from the major shipping companies, report Fort Lauderdale’s Maritime Executive.
CMA CGM will be investing in excess of US$2 billion to expand its operations in Brazil.
MSC and Maersk have also announced ex pansions for their operations in Brazil as well as DP World.
CMA CGM reports it closed the acquisition of 48 percent of the shares in Santos Brasil from funds managed by Opportunity, one of the largest asset managers in Brazil for a reported value of approximately US$1.1 billion.
Combined with a three percent position held by an affiliate of CMA CGM, the company now controls 51 percent of Santos Brasil.
Santos Brasil operates five terminals and a total of eight assets, including the largest container terminal in Brazil and South America.
Saudi Arabia is listed as a major feeder hub in the report
WITH feeder shipping market showing significant growth opportunities, Saudi Arabia is projected to capture a larger share of the business by 2030, according to a new report by the management consultancy firm Arthur D Little.
The feeder shipping segment accounts for the short sea, last leg or regional journeys, which use small-size feeder vessels (with less than 3,000 TEU capacity), reports Fort Lauderdale’s Maritime Executive.
Due to factors such as location and port investments, regions such as the Middle East are poised to lead in feeder shipping.
With the feeder market projected to reach US$451 billion in revenue by 2030, the Middle East, region will represent a significant portion of this surge.
Currently, the feeder market in the Middle East, East Africa, Turkey and South Asia is worth $8 billion.
The report suggests that Saudi Arabia is positioned to benefit, thanks to government policies aimed at diversifying the economy.
Air Belgium is taken over by CMA CGM
THE CMA CGM Group has increased its stake in the airfreight sector by completing the acquisition of Air Belgium and its fleet of four freighters.
The Marseille-based shipping giant announced the transfer of assets from Air Belgium in a press release on April 30.
CMA CGM Group gained approval for its binding takeover from the Brabant Wallon Commercial court on March 27 after it submitted a proposal on March 19.
The asset transfer agreement with the liquidator has also been concluded.
The acquisition includes Air Belgium’s aircraft capacity, comprising two Airbus A330-243Fs and two Boeing 747-8Fs, according to London’s Air Cargo News.
The Air Belgium brand will maintain operations within the CMA CGM Group’s air cargo division and the aircraft will be operated from Belgium.
CMA CGM intends to use the additional capacity to create more tailored forwarding, shipping and logistics solutions.
This acquisition continues the 2021-2023 partnership between the airlines.
ONE'S revenue rises 32 percent in FY2024
JAPAN’s Singapore-headquartered Ocean Network Express (ONE) has reported strong financial results for FY2024 (April 2024 – March 2025), with revenue soaring 32 percent year on year to US$19.23 billion.
Net profit surged to $4.24 billion, marking a $3.27 billion increase from the previous year, reports London’s Port Technology International.
Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE, said: We are pleased to report a profit of $4.24 billion for FY2024- an achievement realised despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and regional economic uncertainties.
Through our participation in the newly established the Premier Alliance, we have further expanded our global network and enhanced our service offerings.
Recently, ONE launched its Intra Greece Express (IGX) service to enhance connectivity between Thessaloniki and Piraeus.
Additionally, the Port of New York and New Jersey celebrated the maiden voyage of the ONE Eagle at Port Liberty Bayonne.
First LNG dual-fuel box ship named 'Kota Oasis' by PIL
SINGAPORE’s Pacific International Lines (PIL) has officially named its first 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel containership, Kota Oa- sis, at a ceremony at the Yangzijiang Shipbuilding yard in China.
The naming was conducted by Cindy Chang, the wife of PIL’s deputy chairman, Peter Chang, reports London’s Port Technology International.
Kota Oasis is the first of four 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels ordered by PIL from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.
These vessels, part of the “O” Class series, are a key element of PIL’s long-term strategy to enhance fleet sustainability, operational efficiency, and network deployment.
Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, commented: “This vessel represents another significant milestone in our journey towards sustainability and operational excellence.
“As the first Asian container shipping line to invest in LNG dual-fuel ships in 2022, we made a bold commitment towards reducing our environmental footprint and achieving our net zero emissions target by 2050.
” The “O” Class vessels are designed to be powered by LNG, with the added capability to use bio methane fuels.
They are equipped with WinGD’s XDF engines featuring Intelligent Control by Exhaust Recycling, which reduces methane emissions.
Additionally, the vessels are ammonia intermediatete ready.
Kota Oasis is PIL’s fifth LNG-powered vessel, joining four 14,000 TEU LNG vessels delivered in recent months.
The company has a further thirteen LNG dual- fuel vessels on order, set to be delivered over the coming years.