New Hatsu vessel completed in Japan

New Hatsu vessel completed in Japan    The 'Hatsu Smile,' the fourth in a series of 10 7,024-TEU S-type container vessels that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Kobe shipyard is constructing for the Evergreen Group, was christened Saturday and will soon join the fleet of London-based Hatsu Marine Ltd., the company said in a statement.
   The 'Hatsu Smile' is scheduled for delivery to Hatsu Marine in May and will make its maiden voyage to Europe shortly thereafter. In addition to the four S-type vessels, the Hatsu fleet also includes five 6,332-TEU E-class vessels and two 1,618-TEU P-class vessels, deployed in regional Asian services within the Evergreen Group.
   At a length of 300 meters and with a beam of 42.8 meters, the S-class vessels are able to carry 17 rows of containers across the deck and 15 rows across below deck. The vessel has a deadweight of 78,700 tons and has 839 refrigerated container slots.
   The Evergreen Group is taking delivery of 18 large post-Panamax containerships through 2008 — 10 S-types and eight 8,063-TEU C-types — allowing Evergreen companies to upgrade existing services and phase out older vessels.