HAPAG-LLOYD ORDERS FOUR 7,200-TEU CONTAINERSHIPS

HAPAG-LLOYD ORDERS FOUR 7,200-TEU CONTAINERSHIPS    Hapag-Lloyd has placed an order for four 7,200-TEU containerships, which will be among the largest vessels deployed in global container shipping.
   The new vessels, to be built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries, will be only slightly longer but considerably wider than vessels recently deployed Hapag-Lloyd vessels. The ships will carry 17 containers across, rather than 13, and stacked 15 high, including six on deck.
   The first of the new vessels will be delivered in the fall of 2001, with the remaining three delivered through early 2003.
   The new ships will join 12 4,800-TEU ships ordered by Hapag-Lloyd over the past two years. Six of these ships will enter service this year, giving Hapag-Lloyd 18 of the 4,800-TEUs ships. The shipping line also operates nine ships with capacities of 2,200 to 3,600 TEUs, in addition to a number of chartered vessels.