# Hanwha Ocean bids against Chinese yards for Maersk mega-ships

*The Danish carrier confirmed 26 dual-fuel vessels while seeking up to 42 ships worth $8.9 billion, testing South Korean delivery discipline against Chinese dock capacity.*

**Published:** September 22, 2026  
**By:** Hyun-jung Lee  
**Section:** Shipbuilding & Defense — South Korea  
**Format:** Why It Matters  
**Confidence:** medium  
**Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/shipbuilding/hanwha-ocean-bids-against-chinese-yards-maersk-mega-ships-346  
**Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/)

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## What to know

- Hanwha Ocean entered direct bidding Sept. 21, 2026 for 12 Maersk vessels sized at 24,000 TEU
- Maersk confirmed 26 dual-fuel hulls while planning an $8.9 billion fleet program
- Final shipyard selections and dock assignments face review before Dec. 31, 2026

![Workers stand on scaffolding around a large ship at a Hanwha Ocean shipyard dry dock as the company pursues major container vessel orders. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-09-21-8bbcbfcf5e10.webp)
*Workers stand on scaffolding around a large ship at a Hanwha Ocean shipyard dry dock as the company pursues major container vessel orders. (AI-generated image)*

Hanwha Ocean entered direct bidding against Chinese shipbuilders on Sept. 21, 2026, targeting an order of 12 ultra-large container vessels for Danish carrier A.P. Moller–Maersk.

The package forms part of a broader fleet renewal plan encompassing up to 42 ships worth $8.9 billion. That total represents roughly 10% of Maersk's current operating capacity of 4.74 million TEU — twenty-foot equivalent units.

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Cite as: East Asia Brief, "Hanwha Ocean bids against Chinese yards for Maersk mega-ships," September 22, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/shipbuilding/hanwha-ocean-bids-against-chinese-yards-maersk-mega-ships-346