NYK DEPLOYS FIRST 6,200-TEU SHIP IN TRANSPACIFIC

NYK DEPLOYS FIRST 6,200-TEU SHIP IN TRANSPACIFIC    NYK Line has deployed the first of a series of fourteen 6,200-TEU new containerships in the Far East Express transpacific service of the Grand Alliance.
   The    25-knot “NYK Lodestar,” a post-Panamax vessel built by the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard, sailed on its maiden voyage from Asia in mid-September and was scheduled to sail from Oakland last Thursday (Oct. 4).
   NYK has ordered another four 6,200-TEU ships from Samsung, scheduled for delivery starting in early 2002. A sixth 6, 200-TEU ship, built by Ishikawajima-Harima, is scheduled for delivery in November 2002, to be followed by the seventh, eighth and ninth in 2003. Two additional 6,200-TEU vessels, on order with Imabari Shipbuilding, are to be delivered in 2003. Three more, to be built by Ishikawajima-Harima, are scheduled for delivery in 2004.
   NYK operates within the Grand Alliance alonside its partners Hapag-Lloyd, NYK, OOCL, P&O Nedlloyd and Malaysia International Shipping Corp. (the latter in the Asia-Europe trade only).