Taiwan’s Evergreen group is chartering 11 ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) set for delivery three years from now as the quest for economies of scale in the box shipping industry shows no letup amid falling rates and brutal competition.
Evergreen announced it signed time charter agreements recently for 11 18,000-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) ships with Shoei Kisen Kaisha that are planned to be delivered from 2018 through 2019.
The deal includes the six units of the same capacity announced by Evergreen Marine Corp. (EMC) last December.
The new-generation mega-container ships will adopt the most advanced shipbuilding technologies to maximize cargo carrying capability, to display stronger hull structure, and to demonstrate improved navigation safety. Measurements are about 400 meters in length and about 59 meters wide.
Moreover, the ships are to be equipped with various environmental protection devices to fully comply with the regulations of international maritime agencies. Ship-to-shore real time data transmission systems will enable operation staff on land to monitor navigation statistics and weather conditions, analyze data and take in-time action for speed optimization and route planning at sea.
The ships’ 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.
“Evergreen has taken this investment decision to introduce 18,000 TEU vessels based on market demand and the capacity requirement for joint service,” the shipping line said in a written statement. “Current service cooperation arrangements with its alliance partners will enable Evergreen to efficiently utilize the capacity and garner the potential economic benefits represented by larger vessels.”
It added: “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 program 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, 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. “The program will rejuvenate the fleet thereby enhancing the quality of service offered to customers and reinforcing the line’s competitiveness in the marketplace,” the company said.
The charter papers were signed by EMC chairman Anchor Chang and Shoei president Yukito Higaki.
Maersk to buy 10 more mega ships
Meanwhile, Danish global container shipping giant Maersk is reported to have plans of ordering some 10 box ships of up to 20,000-TEU in class in the first half of 2015.
The company previously placed orders for 20 Triple-E ships in the 18,000-TEU category, of which 15 have been delivered. Other shipping lines have since followed suit with orders for ULCVs of more than 18,000 TEUs in capacity.
In fact, in November last year, the newly delivered “CSCL Globe” of China Shipping Container Lines wrestled the title of “world’s biggest” from Maersk’s Triple E series with its 19,000-TEU capacity.
Just two months later, in January 2015, the “Globe” was superseded by Mediterranean Shipping Company’s 19,224-TEU behemoth “MSC Oscar.”
Photo: Jef Poskanzer from Berkeley
