TAIWAN's shipping liner Evergreen is planning to order ten dual-fuelled 15,000 TEU neo-panamax ships in 2023 in its bid to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, reports UK's The Loadstar.

Company director Chang Kuo-hua said Maersk Line and CMA CGM had already ordered dual-fuelled environmentally friendly containerships, Maersk opting for methanol and CMA CGM, LNG.

Mr Chang said he admired Maersk goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, 10 years earlier than the 2050 standard, adding: "As a leader in the maritime industry, Maersk is sailing in the right direction."

A spokesperson confirmed that to achieve Mr Chang's goal of net-zero by 2050. "Evergreen has been working closely with shipyards and relevant suppliers to develop a green fleet of new-generation ships powered by clean energy, supporting the carbon reduction targets of the global shipping industry."

Mr Chang also said that, while bunker prices had shot up in tandem with the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on oil prices, the situation was manageable, as liner operators had implemented bunker surcharges to factor-in the escalating fuel costs.

Evergreen has a total capacity of 1.5 million TEU and, with more than 40 ships on order, will have more than 500,000 TEU within the next three years.

Meanwhile, the carrier has consolidated the agency services of its affiliate, Evergreen International, bringing the agency business into Evergreen Marine Corporation's remit.

The Taiwanese liner operator's spokesperson said: "This is part of Evergreen Line's streamlining of its global agencies into its liner business since 2017, in order to enhance the operational performance, as well as lowering administration costs."