HYUNDAI CONSIDERS MOVE TO 8,000-TEU CONTAINERSHIPS

HYUNDAI CONSIDERS MOVE TO 8,000-TEU CONTAINERSHIPS    Hyundai Merchant Marine said that it plans to operate 8,000-TEU containerships in the medium term.
   The Korean carrier plans to put five 8,000-TEU containerships on the transpacific route between 2006 and 2010.
   Meanwhile, Hyundai will take delivery of five 6,500-TEU container vessels in 2001, when these vessels will be the largest in its fleet. The 6,500-TEU containerships are also destined the transpacific trade.
   Hyundai’s medium term plan provides further evidence that container shipping lines are ready to jump to the next generation of very large post-Panamax vessels. P&O Nedlloyd confirmed recently that it is considering building ships of up to 10,000 TEUs. Maersk Sealand currently operates “S-class” containerships, officially rated with a 6,600-TEU capacity, that are believed to be able to carry at least 7,100 TEUs.