Maersk to invest $9 billion in 42 new container ships

Maersk is planning a major fleet renewal, with reports indicating an investment of approximately $9 billion to order up to 42 new container ships. This move follows statements from CEO Vincent Clerc regarding the need to secure capacity for future growth after the company maximized its existing fleet.

The proposed order includes a variety of vessel sizes: 12 ships with a capacity of 24,000 TEU—marking the first time the company has ordered vessels of this scale—24 ships of 19,000 TEU, and six ships of 18,600 TEU. The new vessels are expected to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and capable of dual-fuel operation.

This expansion would increase Maersk’s total capacity by nearly 750,000 TEU, bringing its total to approximately 5.5 million TEU. This represents a significant departure from the company’s previous strategy of maintaining fleet capacity between 4 million and 4.4 million TEU. The investment is supported by a strong cash position, with total cash and deposits reported at $18.5 billion as of June 30.