Container Shipping Line Signs Up for Eleven 18,000 TEU Freighters


New Generation Giant Box Vessels Continue to Proliferate 


TAIWAN – The Evergreen Group, owners of Evergreen Line which currently lies in fifth position* as the world’s largest container shipping group in terms of TEU space, has announced the signing of time charter agreements for five more 18,000 TEU vessels to add to the six similar ships signed up by Evergreen Marine Corp. (EMC) and its subsidiary last December. The deal is with Japanese group Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (Shoei) and the craft are planned for delivery from 2018 through 2019.
With a hull of around 400 metres and a beam of 59 metres all the vessels will incorporate the most advanced shipbuilding technologies including optimised hull profiles and minimum ballast water requirements to maximise cargo carrying capability. The vessels are designed to have greater hull depth with the intent of strengthening the overall structure and aid safer navigation. The ship’s new generation G-type main engine is developed with a longer stroke to operate at lower speeds with capability to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission up to 7% than traditional main engines.
In line with the stringent eco-friendly criteria that Evergreen and other box carriers now employ, the ships are equipped with various environmental protection devices and fully comply with the regulations of international maritime agencies. Ship-to-shore real time data transmission system is introduced to enable operation departments on land to monitor navigation statistics and weather condition, analyse the data and take in time action for speed optimisation and route planning at sea.



Evergreen says it has taken this investment decision to introduce 18,000 TEU vessels based on market demand and the capacity requirement for joint service. The group says that current service cooperation arrangements with its alliance partners will enable Evergreen to efficiently utilise the capacity and garner the potential economic benefits represented by the larger vessels which are now the fashion for long haul ocean freight carriers.
In light of the continuing demand growth in shipping market, Evergreen Group continues to adopt the latest technologies for fleet renewal. Along with the ongoing delivery of its own thirty 8,500 TEU L type vessels, a programme which began in July 2012 and is due to be completed this year, Evergreen has already taken delivery of five 8,800 TEU and ten 13,800 TEU chartered ships with another ten chartered units of 14,000 TEU to be delivered in 2016/17.
With the delivery of these, the Evergreen fleet consists of in total sixty-six ships within the medium to ultra-large size range, the carrier plans to redeliver currently chartered vessels upon expiry of their charter periods. This programme is intended to rejuvenate the company’s fleet, intending to enhance the quality of service offered to customers and reinforcing the line’s competitiveness in the marketplace.
* Source Alphaliner.

Photo: The signing ceremony for the eleven ships with Mr. Anchor Chang, Chairman of Evergreen Marine Corporation (left), Mr. Yukito Higaki, President of Shoei Kisen Kaisha (right) sitting at the table.


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