Yang Ming’s first LNG carrier stops at La Spezia

The “YM Willpower”, the flagship of a new dual-fuel series, strengthens the ties between LSCT and the Premier Alliance on the Asia–Europe route

La Spezia Container Terminal (LSCT) has welcomed the YM Willpower, the first vessel in a new series of five 15,500 TEU dual-fuel LNG container ships from Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, which has entered service as part of the MD2 service, operated in conjunction with Premier Alliance partners ONE and HMM.

The arrival of the YM Willpower in La Spezia marks a significant milestone: it is, in fact, the first vessel in Yang Ming’s fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) to call at the port of La Spezia, confirming the Taiwanese shipping company’s commitment to the decarbonisation of container transport. Compared to traditional fuels, these vessels enable a reduction in CO₂ emissions of around 20%, the almost total elimination of sulphur oxides and a significant reduction in particulate matter (-85%).

The vessel is the first of five sister ships due to be delivered in 2026, as part of a wider transition towards a dual-fuel fleet. In parallel, Yang Ming has launched the “YM ECO Sea” programme, which enables customers to certify emissions reductions across the logistics chain in accordance with international standards, including EU RED II and the GLEC Framework.

In keeping with tradition, the commemorative crest was presented to Captain K.C. Sudeesh in the presence of representatives from Yang Ming/Finsea and LSCT management.

Operating from La Spezia since November 2025, the MD2 service provides direct connections to the main hubs of East Asia, confirming LSCT as a strategic gateway for global trade flows.