As east-west trade lanes continue to prove challenging for ocean carriers, the Evergreen Group has announced another order for ten 2,800-TEU vessels it plans to deploy in the growing intra-Asia trades.
The Taiwan-based liner signed late last week an order with Japanese shipbuilder Imabari for ten B-type vessels of 2,800 TEUs in capacity. These are in addition to the order Evergreen announced last month for 10 similar ships to be made by shipyard CSBC of Taiwan.
The ships under the new contract are planned to be delivered between the first half of 2018 and first half of 2019. All 20 newbuildings are for deployment in the intra-Asia trade.
The B-type vessels will measure 211 meters in length and 32.8 meters wide, and have a design draft of 10 meters. The ships are designed to load 13 rows of containers on deck, which is within the span of existing gantry cranes in major ports in that trade.
Their hull design is wider in comparison to ships of a similar capacity to enable them to navigate in the shallower waters encountered in the intra-Asia trade and to enhance their cargo carrying capability. The ships can cruise at a speed of up to 21.8 knots.
To reduce the impact of shipping activity on residential communities and eco-systems around coastal areas, Evergreen is equipping the vessels with various environmental protection devices and technology to safeguard marine resources.
The ships are also to be equipped with an electronic-controlled fuel injection engine that meets global requirements on emission control.
The agreement for the B-type vessels is the third project in which Imabari is participating in Evergreen Line’s fleet renewal program. The shipping line has signed agreements with Shoei Kisen Kaisha, the ship-owning arm of Imabari Shipbuilding Group, to charter five 14,000-TEU container ships to be delivered in 2017 and eleven 18,000-TEU box ships to be delivered in 2018 and 2019.
Photo: Alchemist-hp (talk)
