Cargo Business Techwire

Friday, July 10, 2015

The MSC Geneva, first widened container ship, enters into service

The MSC Geneva has entered service after it was widened — the first of three NSB ships slotted to be converted under the Widening Project.

After a successful sea trial, the Reederei NSB ship reentered liner service for MSC on July 1st, sailing between China and South America.

NSB said the conversion would enhance the competitive edge of Panamax container freighters, increase their operational efficiency and improve
their carbon footprint. This service is also offered to other ship owners and ship managers by NSB’s subsidiary NSB Marine Solutions, and the company says demand for future widening projects has been rising.

"No one has ever cut a container ship longitudinally from the superstructure to the bow to widen it. We are very proud of our team who widened the MSC GENEVA and thus demonstrated the viability of our concept. The ship will prove that it can keep up with the other carriers that ply the world’s oceans," said Tim Ponath, COO of Reederei NSB.

Depending on the ship type, the conversion adds up to four container rows to the ship, increasing the load-carrying capacity by about 30 percent. Instead of 4,872 containers, a widened ship can load 6,336 boxes. Apart from the load-carrying capacity, the conversion also increases the ship’s transverse stability. On top, less ballast water is needed, NSB said.