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Evergreen Marine Corp. (EMC) has agreed with Samsung Heavy Industries (SGI) to order eight 11,000 teu container ships.
Four ships will be owned by EMC’s subsidiary, Greencompass Marine S.A. and a further four by Evergreen Marine (Hong Kong) Ltd.
The newbuildings are planned to be delivered from the first quarter of 2020 through the second quarter of 2021.
According to a statement from the Taiwanese carrier, ” the aim of this newbuilding program is to meet future market demand and to continue with its ongoing fleet renewal”.
On delivery of these new ships, Evergreen will redeliver older chartered vessels as their charter periods expire to help optimise the efficiency of its operating fleet and enhance the competitiveness of its services.
The ship dimensions are 334 m long, 48.4 m wide, able to carry 19 rows of containers on deck and with a scantling draft of 15.5 m.
The vessels are designed to sail at a service speed of 23 knots and can pass through the Panama Canal.
The ship hulls are shorter than those of ultra large containerships plying the Asia – Europe trade, making it easier to maneuver the vessels during berthing or departure and potentially bringing greater flexibility in fleet deployment.
The newbuilding design adopts a twin-island concept, separating wheelhouse and accommodation block from engine room and funnel area.
According to Evergreen, the arrangement increases navigation visibility as well as the permissible height of container stacks on deck and therefore the cargo loading capacity.
The ships are equipped with various environmental protection devices, including a ballast water treatment system and alternative maritime power to comply with the regulations of international maritime agencies and authorities concerned.