For $3 billion, ocean line expands fleet by 250,000 TEUs

Taiwan carrier splits megamax contract with Hanwha and China builder 

(Photo: Evergreen Marine)

Evergreen Marine has finalized an order for 11 24,000-TEU container ships, a $3 billion contract split between builders in China and South Korea.

The order first announced in 2025 was confirmed in a regulatory filing by Hanwha Ocean of South Korea, according to reports, which will construct six megamax vessels, the largest in operation. It marks the shipyard’s first collaboration with Evergreen, the world’s seventh-largest liner with a 5.7% market share, which currently rosters 12 ultra large container vessels (ULCVs) in its fleet.  

Guangzhou Shipyard International of China will construct the remaining five vessels, all of which will be equipped for methanol and diesel (dual fuel) power. 

Evergreen (2603.TW) has 59 ships totaling 820,000 TEUs on order, most among major liners. 

Despite an oversupply of tonnage amid economic uncertainty that has weakened rates, containership orders among global carriers is approaching 9 million TEUs, or 30% of the existing fleet, according to Lloyd’s List.

Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

Jaxport adds new direct China connection

Biggest US port getting a big check for fix-ups

Ocean rates rise as Hormuz makes fuel top concern

New tolls could add $1 a barrel to Hormuz oil

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
AI

Supply Chain AI Symposium

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

July 15, 2026
The Old Post • Chicago, IL
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
AI Supply Chain AI Symposium Jul 15 • The Old Post • Chicago, IL

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

The Old Post • Chicago, IL Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Stuart Chirls

Stuart Chirls is a journalist who has covered the full breadth of railroads, intermodal, container shipping, ports, supply chain and logistics for Railway Age, the Journal of Commerce and IANA. He has also staffed at S&P, McGraw-Hill, United Business Media, Advance Media, Tribune Co., The New York Times Co., and worked in supply chain with BASF, the world's largest chemical producer. Reach him at stuartchirls@firecrown.com.