OOCL Welcomes 3rd 21K TEU Behemoth into Fleet

The third 21K TEU+ size containership owned by Hong Kong’s shipping company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has been named as the OOCL Japan at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard in Geoje Island.

The naming ceremony, held on September 1, comes in less than two weeks from OOCL Germany’s christening, the company’s second ship from the series. The 21,413 TEU newbuilding forms part of a batch comprising 6 ships of the size.

“The economic growth fundamentals continue to show further improvement so far this year, and under the new industry landscape, we are seeing signs of a stronger rebound after witnessing significant volume growth, increased liftings, and more sustainable rate levels that are positively impacting revenues in the first half of 2017.

“We are pleased to be rolling out these new vessels under the current environment, and look forward to solid demand growth on a much stronger trajectory,” said Andy Tung, Chief Executive Officer of OOCL, while commenting on the deployment timing of the boxships.

Furthermore, the company said that its network operations with its alliance partners under the Ocean Alliance, are continuing as planned and the new products, including the LL1 service, that were launched in April “are settling in well.”

The OOCL Japan will be serving the Asia-Europe trade lane on the LL1 service and its port rotation is: Shanghai / Ningbo / Xiamen / Yantian / Singapore / via Suez Canal / Felixstowe / Rotterdam / Gdansk / Wilhelmshaven / Felixstowe / via Suez Canal / Singapore / Yantian / Shanghai in a 77-day round trip.

In addition, the ship’s sister vessel  OOCL Hong Kong achieved a Guinness World Records Title as the largest containership in the world based on its carrying capacity. The last time OOCL won a Guinness World Records title was for the largest containership back in April 2003 with the OOCL Shenzhen, an 8,063 TEU vessel.

“Once again, we are delighted to be setting yet another record with our long-time business partner because earlier this week, we have been confirmed by the Guinness World Records that the OOCL Hong Kong has officially been recorded as the world’s biggest containership by carrying capacity at 21,413 TEU,” Tung added.

Image Courtesy: OOCL