Hapag-Lloyd orders another two mega-ships

Hapag-Lloyd orders another two mega-ships    Hapag-Lloyd Container Line has ordered two containerships of about 8,600-TEU capacities for the Asia/Europe trade, for delivery in 2007.
   The new ships, to be built by the South Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries, will have a length of 335 meters, a width of 43 meters and a draught of 14.5 meters. Their speed will be 25 knots. Hapag-Lloyd has not disclosed details on the vessels’ costs.
   The order for the two vessels follows previous orders by Hapag-Lloyd for ships of 8,400 to 8,600 TEUs. Three such ships will be delivered to the German shipping line in 2005 and 2006.
   “We have decided to purchase the ships, as this is less expensive than chartering,” said Michael Behrendt, chairman of Hapag-Lloyd.