Evergreen boxship newbuilds capable of 24.5 knots

Ten US$103m, 8,000 TEU containerships ordered by Taiwan-based Evergreen Group will have engines large enough to give them 24.5 knot service speeds. Although Evergreen is currently slow steaming some of its vessels it has apparently decided to retain the capacity to offer high speed services. Evergreen says: “With fuel-saving features and a highly efficient operation [the new ships] are designed to provide shippers punctual delivery service.”
The first of the L-class environmentally advanced container vessels is due for delivery by Samsung Heavy Industries in 2012 and will join Evergreen Line’s global containership fleet. Six of the new vessels will be built for Evergreen Marine Corporation and four for Evergreen International S.A. (Panama). 
Evergreen says in a statement: “The new ships will be constructed under the innovative Greenship design concept developed by Evergreen Group Chairman Dr Chang Yung-Fa nearly 10 years ago and first introduced in 2003. The highly developed features have been built into every Evergreen Line vessel since then. The Greenship programme has taken environmental protection and compliance to a superior level.”
It adds: “The L-type ships will ensure Evergreen will meet the Group’s fleet reinforcement programme, as well as provide replacement requirements.”
With an overall length of 334.8 metres and a beam of 45.8 metres the L class ships will be able to transit the Panama Canal once the current expansion programme is completed in 2014.
“Evergreen’s long-time commitment to environmental excellence takes yet another step forward with these newbuildings," said Bronson Hsieh, Evergreen Vice Group Chairman and Chairman of Evergreen Marine Corporation.  "The emphasis on fuel conservation will work reduce the carbon footprint we leave on this green earth.”
He added: “In the current global economy, which varies from minute to minute, it is an important issue for ocean carriers to have flexible operational strategies -- meeting the requirements from customers and also remember that protecting the environment allows us to be a good citizen of the world.”