Evergreen still pondering mega-ships decision

Evergreen still pondering mega-ships decision Evergreen Line said it has not yet decided whether to add the next generation of ultra-large container ships to its fleet.
   Reports suggest the Taiwanese carrier is on the verge of completing a deal with Greece’s Niki Group to charter eight 12,400-TEU boxships from 2011.
   However, Evergreen Group Chairman and founder Chang Yung-fa only late last year seemingly vetoed such a move saying the big ships will struggle with half loads when the global economy turns cold.
   “As a leading container shipping operator, Evergreen will continue to expand its fleet tonnage under reasonable terms and conditions to meet the company’s business requirements and to increase its competitiveness in the marketplace. At the present stage, there are many strategic options under studying including chartering vessels. But up to now, no final decision has been made,” Evergreen said in a statement to Shippers’ NewsWire when asked to confirm the reports.