Evergreen charters a dozen 11,000-TEU ships

The Taiwanese shipping company revealed Monday that it has entered into an agreement with Shoei Kisen Kaisha to charter 12, 11,000-TEU containerships.    Evergreen Marine Corp. said Monday it has entered into an agreement with Shoei Kisen Kaisha to charter 12, 11,000-TEU containerships.
   The plans to charter these vessels were approved in early January during the board meetings of Greencompass Marine S.A. and Evergreen Marine (Hong Kong) Ltd.
   The two subsidiaries of Evergreen Marine Corp. will each charter six of the vessels.
   All twelve ships will be newbuilds and are due for delivery starting in the third quarter of 2020 to the last quarter of 2021.
   The vessels are designed to sail at a service speed of 23 knots and can pass through the Panama Canal.
   The company noted that the new vessels are specially designed to enable the loading of 40-foot containers on top of two 20-foot units, known as “Russian stowage” or “mixed stowage.”
   “Such arrangement can not only increase the vessel’s loading flexibility, but also maximize cargo-carrying capability,” Evergreen said.
   The 12-vessel charter announcement follows the Taiwanese carrier’s order placed last week with Samsung Heavy Industries to build eight, 11,000-TEU containerships.
   Of this order, four vessels will be owned by Greencompass Marine, with the other four to be under the control of Evergreen Marine (Hong Kong) Ltd. These newbuilds are planned for delivery starting in the first quarter of 2020 through the second quarter of 2021.
   The company said the new vessels are part of its goal to meet future market demand and fleet renewal program.