Evergreen optimistic, orders 10-12 ships on 20 already ordered

TAIWAN's Evergreen Marine, the fifth largest container fleet in the world, is "cautiously optimistic" about the shipping industry next year, having order 10 to 12 new cellular ships to augment the 20 it recently ordered.

Speaking at the World Shipping (China) Summit in Guangzhou, Evergreen chairman Bronson Hsieh said: "The ships we ordered in July and September are from Samsung Heavy Industries and will cost US$100 million each."

Total demand for containerships will expand the global fleet up to four per cent in 2011, a senior industry executive told Reuters. Evergreen, together with other shipping lines, are again profitable, having reported losses last year due because of the downturn.

To be delivered from 2013, the new orders will total 8,000 TEU, expanding the company's capacity 45.5 per cent, or 160,000 TEU, according to London consultants Clarkson Research Services.
(Source:www.schednet.com)