CSAV ready to join big leagues

CSAV ready to join big leagues Compania Sudamericana de Vapores has ordered four 12,000-TEU container vessels at a cost of $640 million.
   Details of the deal are sketchy, but it is understood that the Chilean carrier has placed the order with Taiwanese shipyard China Shipbuilding Corp.
   CSAV said the vessels — 360 meters (1,181.1 feet) in length with a 45 meters (147.6 feet) beam — would be incorporated into its fleet from 2009 through 2011.
   “This important investment represents a significant step forward and a clear sign of the company's growth plans, which will allow us to improve our competitive position, offering our customers an even more efficient service,” the carrier said in a statement.
   CSAV is No. 16 in the world in terms of container vessel fleet with about 85 box ships aggregating 250,000 TEUs capacity. The 12,000-TEU mega-ships will dwarf its current largest vessels of about 6,500 TEUs.