Apparently the growth in size has not reached the limits for container[ds_preview] vessels, yet. China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) has recently announced an order for five container ships with a capacity of 18,400 TEU each. CSCL has commissioned the South Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), which has confirmed the deal at a value of approximately 700 mill. $ (140 mill. $ per ship). In terms of container capacity the vessels will be the largest container ships in the world.
They even exceed the so-called Triple-E class by Maersk built at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. These ships are specified to a capacity of 18,270 TEU and may be characterized as the largest container ships in the world with the first vessel being delivered at the end of June. In 2011, Maersk has ordered 20 Triple-E class vessels at a price of 190 mill. $ each while the first ten ships are to be delivered between 2013 and 2015.
The newbuildings ordered by CSCL are told to reach nearly 400 m in length at a width of 58.6 m. The design comprises electronically-controlled main engines which adjust fuel consumption automatically to fit the ship’s speed and current sea conditions. This aims at more efficient fuel consumption, reduced noise and less emissions. In addition, two EcoBallast treatment systems will be equipped to the newbuildings capable of cleaning 3,000 m3 of seawater per hour while the systems filter and sterilize bacteria and plankton by ultraviolet rays. The delivery of the first ship has been assigned for the second half of 2014. Due to the deal the volume in the order books of HHI increased to 9.7 bill. $ corresponding to about 40 % of the target of 23.8 bill. $.
