New Hapag-Lloyd vessel “world’s largest containership”

New Hapag-Lloyd vessel “world’s largest containership”

New Hapag-Lloyd vessel “world’s largest containership”

   Hapag-Lloyd named Monday in Singapore its first new-generation mega-containership, the 8,750-TEU “Colombo Express,” which it describes as the largest containership in the world.
   The new Hapag-Lloyd ship’s declared capacity will top those of 8,468-TEU vessels operated by China Shipping and 8,000-TEU vessels of Maersk Sealand, which are believed to be the largest containerships afloat.
   However, the Hapag-Lloyd’s deadweight of 103,000 tons puts it behind the largest Maersk Sealand ships (104,750 tons), using this measurement of size.
   Hapag-Lloyd said it will commission seven more 8,750-TEU ships as well as two 8,400-TEU units up to 2008, increasing its fleet size to 61 ships totaling 192,000 TEUs by 2008.
   The vessel was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea and has a length of 335 meters (1,099 feet) and a width of 43 meters (141 feet). The ship’s diesel engine has an output of 68,640 KW or 93,500 hp with a speed of 25 knots.
   Hapag-Lloyd said it is the first shipping line to use environment friendly marine diesel that meets International Maritime Organization environmental standards. The electronic injection and valve control systems reduces nitrogen emissions by 30 percent and bunker consumption by 2 percent, said Hapag-Lloyd.
   “Global container transport remains a growth market. Today’s volume of 71 million standard containers is forecast to grow to almost 91 million by 2008 — an increase of almost 30 percent or 20 million containers,” said Michael Behrendt, chairman of Hapag-Lloyd AG.
   The “Colombo Express” will be deployed on the Grand Alliance’s weekly Asia/Europe “Loop 4” service.