Ocean Network Express (ONE) has confirmed a significant investment, placing an order for six new container vessels with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The total value of this contract is approximately $1.2 billion. Each vessel will have a capacity of 15,900 TEUs and will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), reflecting a broader industry trend towards adopting cleaner fuels for maritime transport.
Deliveries for these new ships are anticipated to commence in November 2028 and conclude by September 2029. This order underscores the continued preference for LNG as the primary alternative fuel for new vessel constructions among major shipping lines.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development signals a future increase in capacity for ONE, albeit several years away. The introduction of more LNG-powered vessels could contribute to a slight reduction in overall emissions for cargo moved on these specific services, which might be a factor for shippers with sustainability targets. While there's no immediate impact on rates or capacity, the long-term fleet modernization could influence service reliability and environmental compliance in the late 2020s.
