Evergreen increases newbuild program

The Evergreen Group signed a contract with Taiwan’s China Shipbuilding Corp. (CSBC) for the construction of 10 environmentally friendly L-class 8,000-TEU container vessels. The 10 post-panamax ships will be operated on Evergreen Line’s various worldwide trade routes.

The contract was signed by Evergreen Vice Group Chairman Bronson Hsieh and CSBC Chairman Tang Tay-Ping, CSBC Chairman, shown in thumbnail photo.

Three of the new boxships will be built for Evergreen Marine Corporation, four for Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd., and three for Evergreen Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd. The first new vessel is due for delivery in 2013.

This order continues the company’s shipbuilding program that began last year, when it placed orders with Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries Co. for twenty 8,000-TEU L-class vessels, which are due for delivery beginning in 2012.

As with previously ordered L-class ships, the 10 new ships will have an overall length of 334.8 meters and a beam of 45.8 meters and a maximum draft of 14.2 meters. With fuel-saving features and a highly efficient operation they are designed to provide shippers an upgraded delivery service as well as reducing carbon emissions.

Evergreen will use the most advanced and environmental protection techniques in building these new ships. As with company’s “Greenships,” Evergreen will adopt tin-free coatings and environment friendly materials to prevent marine pollution and meet the requirement of Green Passport for ship recycling. Additionally, when the ships are docked, they will have connections for Alternative Marine Power (AMP) shore electric power can reduce to help reduce diesel emissions in the harbor.

May 20, 2011