TAIWAN-JAPAN-SWEDEN-TheEvergreen Group has signed an order with Japanese shipbuilder Imabari for ten 2,800 TEU class B-type vessels in addition to the order for ten similar vessels announced last month fromCSBC in Taiwan. With all twenty newbuildings set to be deployed in the intra-Asia trade,the vessels will measure 211 metres in length, 32.8 metres wide, and have a design draft of 10 metres and, with a capacity of around 2,800 TEU, the ships are designed to load 13 rows of containers on deck, which is within the span of existing gantry cranes at major ports in the area.
The latest contract was signed by Evergreen Marine Chairman Anchor Chang and Imabari Shipbuilding President Yukito Higaki. The first ship of the series is planned to be delivered during the second half of 2017 with the completion due by the first half of 2018 from CSBC, and the order with Imabari expected during the first half of 2018 and the completion of the series due by the first half of 2019.
The hull design of the vessels is wider in comparison to ships of a similar capacity. Such design enables the ships to navigate in the shallower ports encountered in the intra-Asia trade and to enhance their cargo carrying capability. The ships can cruise at a speed up to 21.8 knots, improving their on-time performance and competitiveness.
Vessels operating on regional trades, such as intra-Asia, often sail in coastal areas. With frequent port calls, these ships operate in close proximity to human activity and the living environment. To reduce their impact on port communities and eco-systems, Evergreen has imposed stringent eco-friendly criteria on their operation. The B-type vessels are equipped with various environmental protection devices and the latest technology to safeguard the sustainable development of the marine environment. The ships are also to be equipped with an electronic-controlled fuel injection engine, which meets the IMO Tier II standards for NOx emission and the requirements of Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), and can reduce emissions by around 20% in comparison with vessels of traditional designs.
Founded in 1901, Imabari Shipbuilding is Japan's largest shipbuilder. The agreement for B-type vessels is the third project in which Imabari will participate in Evergreen Line's fleet renewal programme. Evergreen has signed agreements with Shoei Kisen Kaisha, the ship owning arm of Imabari Shipbuilding Group, to charter five 14,000 TEU containerships to be delivered in 2017 and eleven 18,000 TEU containerships to be delivered in 2018 and 2019.
Elsewhere Swedish tanker specialist Concordia Maritime has renewed a contract with an international oil and gas company for 12 months for two vessels. The contract also includes an additional vessel for six months. The renewed contract relates to three P-Max vessels: Stena Paris, Stena Provence and Stena Polaris. Kim Ullman, CEO of Concordia Maritime commented:
"It's obviously very positive to achieve the renewed confidence of this customer, which has specific transport requirements that suits the high cargo capacity of our P-Max vessels, which results in a lower actual cost per unit. The contract is fully in line with our efforts to steer employment towards niche trades that can optimally utilise the P-Max vessel's unique characteristics."
Photo:Imabari is the choice of builder for other container lines when it comes to ships in this size range.