Another one of the world’s top 10 carriers has joined the rush for methanol-powered ships.

Evergreen has firmed up a much-awaited order for 24 methanol dual-fuel 16,000 teu vessels. 

The Taiwanese carrier has tapped Japan’s Nihon Shipyard and South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries for eight and 16 units, respectively.

The world’s sixth-largest liner in capacity terms is paying between $180m and $210m for each ship, which takes total capital expenditure to up to $5.04bn.

Denmark’s Maersk set the ball rolling on methanol-fuelled newbuilds in 2021 with 16,000 teu units in South Korea as part of its goal to achieve net zero in 2040. This was followed by other leading carriers, including France’s CMA CGM and China’s COSCO Shipping, last year.