by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

South Korea's container liner HMM is advancing its fleet expansion plans with up to twelve new 13,000-TEU container ships.

HMM aims to order six firm newbuildings with an option for six additional vessels, reports TradeWinds.

An industry source revealed that HMM has opted for LNG fuelling for the post-panamax container ships, and delivery is scheduled for this year and some in the year 2026.

Shipbuilding brokers estimate that HMM's 13,000-TEU vessels will cost between USD 180 million and USD 185 million each, considering the company's planned additional specifications.

In addition, HMM has set a target of investing USD 13.5 billion by 2030 to strengthen its container business. This includes placing new orders, upgrading existing terminals, and acquiring additional containers.

Most recently, the carrier took delivery of 'HMM GREEN,' a 9,000-TEU methanol-powered containership, the first of nine sister ships ordered in February 2023 from HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction.