CSCL makes mark in 2011 with first megaship to put to sea

THE biggest containership put to sea in 2011 was China Shipping's 13,296-TEU CSCL Star in January, the first time in five years that a box ship bigger than 10,000 TEU had been delivered to an Asian carrier rather than a European one.


Between 2006 and 2010 the three European heavyweights, Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company and CMA CGM, took delivery of 50 ships bigger than 10,000 TEU, according to ComPair Data.


Within this total 12 of the containerships are with Maersk, 23 are in MSC's fleet and 15 are with CMA CGM. The ships range in size from CMA CGM's 10,960-TEU vessels to Maersk's 15,500-TEU Emma and sister ships.


"Hanjin Shipping has five and Zim and Cosco Container Lines each have four vessels right on the 10,000-TEU threshold," the report said.


It noted that Maersk has now announced an order for ten 18,000-TEU vessels, which it said may rise to a total order for 30 similar-sized vessels.


The report said United Arab Shipping Company (USAC) is scheduled to take delivery of nine 13,000-TEU ships from 2011-12, and Hapag-Lloyd is expected to take delivery of ten 13,000-TEU ships in 2012 and 2013.


Citing ComPair Data, the biggest vessels in the fleets of the world's top 10 container shipping lines are: Maersk Line with 15,500 TEU; MSC with 14,000 TEU; CMA CGM, 13,830 TEU; Evergreen, 8,073 TEU; Hapag-Lloyd, 8,749 TEU; CSAV, 6,589 TEU; APL, 9,100 TEU; Cosco, 10,050 TEU; Hanjin Shipping, 10,050 TEU; and China Shipping, 13,296 TEU.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)