A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has signed an order for eight large container vessels with New Times Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in China. All eight ships will have the same characteristics and will form a new 18,600 TEU series, with deliveries scheduled in 2029 and 2030.

Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering & Newbuilding at Maersk, said the agreement is part of the company’s ongoing fleet renewal and will help maintain the fleet’s competitive edge.

The vessels will measure 366 m in length and 58.6 m in breadth. Maersk said the ships are more compact than the current maximum container vessel length of 400 m.

Cristescu added that deployment flexibility was a key factor in the decision. While the vessels are large, Maersk said they offer greater flexibility than the largest ships currently being built in the industry, providing multiple deployment options across the company’s current and future network.

The ships will be equipped with dual-fuel engines able to operate on conventional bunker fuel or liquified gas.

Following the order, Maersk now has 33 vessels on order, including four scheduled for delivery in the remainder of 2026.