AP Moller-Maersk is preparing to order up to 42 newbuildings, including what would be its largest-ever vessels, as part of an $8.9bn fleet expansion drive, according to TradeWinds. The Danish liner giant is drawing on substantial cash reserves accumulated during a multi-year upcycle in container shipping to fund the spree. The plans reportedly involve shipbuilders New Times Shipbuilding and Hengli Heavy Industry, both based in China, though full details of vessel sizes, contract values and delivery schedules have not been disclosed. The move would mark one of the most significant newbuilding campaigns undertaken by Maersk in recent years, reflecting the company's confidence in long-term demand despite volatility in freight rates and broader shipping markets. Container lines have faced fluctuating conditions in 2026 amid geopolitical disruptions, including attacks on vessels in the Middle East and ongoing Red Sea diversions, which have reshaped trade routes and pushed some operators toward larger, more efficient tonnage. Maersk, led by chief executive Vincent Clerc, has not publicly confirmed the scope or terms of the newbuilding programme. If finalised, the order would add substantially to the company's owned fleet capacity and could influence broader shipbuilding demand at Chinese yards, which have seen strong orderbooks across multiple vessel segments this year.