China United Lines (CU Lines) is taking a significant step up in vessel size after signing a construction contract for two 14,000 teu container ships with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding.
The order marks the first time the fast-growing Chinese international container liner has contracted newbuild vessels exceeding 10,000 teu in capacity.
The two ships will also position CU Lines alongside leading intra-Asian operators Pacific International Lines and Wan Hai Lines in terms of the largest vessels operating in its fleet.
The move comes as CU Lines continues to expand its network and reshape its fleet in line with its route growth strategy. The company is increasing the proportion of owned tonnage while refining the overall mix of vessel capacities across its operations.
Established in 2005, CU Lines has developed a broad container transportation network covering mainland China’s coastal ports, as well as Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, the Red Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean, East Africa and North Africa, alongside other markets.
The two vessels will be built to a design independently developed in-house by Hudong-Zhonghua.
Each container ship will measure 335 metres in overall length, with a moulded breadth of 51 metres and a moulded depth of 30.2 metres. The ships will have a design speed of 21 knots and will use conventional propulsion.
Despite the use of conventional propulsion, the vessels will incorporate several established energy-saving technologies.
These include twisted bulb rudders and energy-saving ducts, while variable-frequency technology will be used for engine-room fans and seawater cooling pumps.
The order therefore combines a substantial increase in vessel capacity with CU Lines’ broader effort to expand its network, increase owned tonnage and improve the efficiency and composition of its fleet.
