Wan Hai Lines Orders Six 11,000 TEU Dual-Fuel Containerships

Wan Hai Lines has finalized the contract to order six 11,000 TEU containerships prepared to operate with dual fuels. The vessels will be built by Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding in collaboration with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC).

As early as August 12, Wan Hai Lines had announced that it would place an order with Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for six 11,000 TEU containerships prepared to operate with dual-fuel methanol and liquefied natural gas (LNG), at a cost of between USD 118 million and USD 124 million per vessel, placing the total value of the order between USD 708 million and USD 744 million.

To date, Wan Hai Lines has ordered a total of eight containerships of two different types from Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding this year, including one 9,200 TEU vessel and seven 11,000 TEU vessels, with the total value of the eight newbuilds ranging between USD 928 million and USD 980 million.

Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding noted that the 11,000 TEU containership corresponds to a new generation of medium-sized containerships with environmental features, fully developed and designed by the shipyard. In addition to complying with EEDI Phase III energy efficiency standards, the vessel features a design that allows for the incorporation of both methanol and LNG dual-fuel systems, providing shipowners with a convenient path for future transition to cleaner energies and helping to significantly reduce carbon emission-related costs.

The hull is equipped with a desulfurization tower and various devices aimed at saving energy and reducing resistance to forward movement, which further optimizes speed and fuel consumption efficiency.

Founded in 1965, Wan Hai Lines is a renowned Asian shipping company. The relationship between Wan Hai Lines and Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding began in 2024, when Wan Hai Lines acquired two 7,000 TEU containerships from the shipyard. These vessels were successfully delivered during the first half of 2026 and have received positive operational feedback.

The two orders placed this year represent the second and third collaborations between the two companies.

Currently, Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has a product portfolio covering vessels between 7,000 and 20,000 TEU and possesses the capacity to independently develop various eco-friendly ship designs, including advanced clean energy solutions such as LNG dual-fuel systems and methanol-ready configurations.

Regarding its construction capabilities, Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has a consolidated system for series production. Thanks to detailed production management and efficient dry dock resource scheduling, the shipyard can simultaneously advance the construction of multiple large containerships, achieving continuous, stable, high-quality, and sustained deliveries.

Over the past month or so, Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has shown particularly intense activity in the newbuilding market, securing orders for containerships, bulk carriers, and cruise ships totaling over 30 vessels, including options.

Specifically, these orders include 10 210,000 DWT bulk carriers for Cosco Shipping Development, six 11,000 TEU containerships for Wan Hai Lines, 12 21,700 TEU containerships for Cosco Shipping Holdings, and a letter of intent for two 84,000-ton vessels, with an option for three more, for the Norwegian Nor Cruises.