HMM plans to invest USD 1.617 billion in 12 new container vessels to enhance fleet capacity and competitiveness by 2029.
South Korean carrier HMM has moved to further expand its fleet. On 15 October local time, the HMM board of directors approved a container vessel investment plan valued at approximately KRW 2.17 trillion, equivalent to roughly USD 1.617 billion. The investment encompasses 12 container vessels, adding a combined capacity of approximately 114,100 TEU, with the investment period expected to extend through to the end of December 2029.
According to the official disclosure documents released by HMM, the investment comprises two components: the ordering of 8 newbuild 13,000 TEU container vessels to strengthen large-vessel capacity, and the acquisition of 4 resale newbuildings - specifically 3 vessels of 2,800 TEU and 1 vessel of 1,700 TEU. These four vessels are not secondhand ships already in service; rather, they are vessels originally ordered by other shipowners and transferred prior to delivery. Based on the specifications outlined above, the combined capacity of all 12 vessels totals approximately 114,100 TEU.
In its announcement, HMM stated that the investment is intended to enhance fleet competitiveness through targeted container vessel investment. The investment figure has been calculated using the first exchange rate published on the business day preceding the board resolution and may be subject to revision should vessel specifications change.
This investment forms part of HMM's long-term fleet expansion programme. Under its previously announced strategic plan, HMM targets the expansion of its container fleet to 166 vessels with a total capacity of 1.47 million TEU by the end of 2030. As of the first half of 2026, HMM operates 97 container vessels with a combined capacity of approximately 1.02 million TEU - a baseline against which the scale of the carrier's intended growth becomes evident should the 2030 targets be achieved on schedule.
With respect to network structure, HMM intends to deploy a hub-and-spoke configuration, with large vessels handling long-haul mainline services and small-to-mid-sized vessels connecting origins, destinations, and hub ports. The current investment - spanning 13,000 TEU large vessels alongside 2,800 TEU and 1,700 TEU smaller units - aligns with this directional model of mainline concentration supported by regional feeder connectivity.
For freight forwarding enterprises, the specific delivery schedules, route deployments, and sailing arrangements of these vessels warrant continued monitoring. HMM has not, in this investment disclosure, specified the route allocation for the 12 vessels, and additional capacity does not in itself signal an immediate increase in available slots or sailing frequency on any given service.