Friday, September 7, 2012

APL's new mega-sized container ships to sport new hull design

A new hull design will render APL's 10 new mega-sized container vessels up to 20 per cent more fuel efficient per TEU compared to current configurations.

APL, Hyundai Heavy Industries and risk management firm DNV have partnered on the project, which has been augmented for nine-speed and draught combination operation on the Asia-to-Europe route. The propulsive power will be reduced by up to 16 percent compared to hulls optimized for one-draft and speed conditions.

The first of the new 13,800-TEU ships is being built by Hyundai Heavy Industries and will be delivered in 2013.

The fuel cost savings for APL will be a significant $3 million per ship per year.

"These ships will be the most fuel-efficient ships ever built to the Asia-Europe container trade," says Cedric Foo, group deputy president and CFO of APL's parent company NOL. "APL has decided to advance the delivery of the newbuildings, which have been ordered in 2011, using their superior fuel efficiency to make a contribution to cutting emissions as soon as possible."

The new ships will operate at speeds typically ranging from 15 to 19.5 knots but with a maximum speed of about 23 knots. With software and virtual sea trials, the three partners analyzed the route's trading pattern to inform the design.

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