Container major CMA CGM has expanded its orderbook of containerships capable of operating on methanol, after it placed an order with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC) for a series of dual-fuel methanol-burning containerships.

The order relates to a series of eight methanol-burning dual-fuel vessels. The order was placed on 9 September, according to the shipyard, and represents the largest order for methanol-fuelled vessels to date, with analysts estimating the contract is valued at close to US$1 billion.