The bar for container ship capacity continues to rise, and significantly so. Recent builds hover around 24,000 TEU, but at the SMM exhibition in Hamburg on September 3, 2024, the Chinese shipyard China State Shipbuilding Corporation announced the construction of the first vessel to surpass the 27,000 TEU mark. This new generation, named Green Sealion 27500, will boast a capacity of 27,500 TEU. The name "Green" stems from the fact that the container ship will feature dual-fuel propulsion, using both traditional fuel and liquefied natural gas (LNG), enabling it to meet the CO2 emissions standards set by IMO's Phase III regulations. Additionally, the ship will be equipped with shore power capability, allowing it to use electric power while docked in port.
During the SMM event, this container ship received an Approval in Principle (AIP) certificate from the classification society DNV. So far, the shipbuilder has not disclosed which shipping company will operate the Green Sealion 27500, nor has it revealed when the vessel will be put into service. At the same event, China State Shipbuilding Corporation also announced two other innovative container ships in the Green Sealion series: a 20,000 TEU dual-fuel vessel (traditional fuel and ammonia) and a 16,000 TEU dual-fuel vessel (traditional fuel and LNG).
