Israeli container shipping line ZIM has signed agreements for ten 11,500-TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessels in a deal worth approximately $2.3 billion.

The ships will be built by China's Changhong Shipbuilding and are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028. Seven vessels will be chartered from Container Ventures Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of TMS Group, while the remaining three will be leased from a shipping company linked to former major shareholder Kenon Holdings.

This latest fleet expansion follows ZIM’s successful integration of 46 new vessels ordered in 2021 and 2022. The new LNG-powered ships will strengthen ZIM’s eco-friendly fleet, which the company views as a strategic advantage in an increasingly sustainability-focused shipping market.

Eli Glickman, ZIM President & CEO, stated: "These agreements secure our access to a critical vessel segment and further enhance our core LNG-powered fleet—a key commercial differentiator. Importantly, this versatile capacity is well-suited for ZIM’s diverse global trades, boosting our operational flexibility and growth potential."

The investment aligns with ZIM’s environmental initiatives, as the company positions itself as a leader in reducing the shipping industry’s carbon intensity. Glickman added: "Expanding our LNG fleet supports ZIM’s decarbonization goals and reinforces our leadership in lowering carbon emissions."

The move underscores ZIM’s commitment to sustainable shipping while maintaining competitiveness in global trade.