SHI to Build Six Giant Box Ships for Evergreen
South Korean shipbuilding giant Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has signed shipbuilding deals for Taiwanese shipping line Evergreen’s latest ultra-large containerships, valued at a total of USD 920 million.
SHI said that the order was placed for the construction of six of the world’s largest container ships, world’s largest smart, Eco-friendly mega-ships, with a capacity of 23,000 TEUs, by May 2022.
SHI said these newbuildings will be 400 m long, 61.5 m wide, 33.2 m high. Size-wise, these exceed the world’s largest container ship with a capacity of 23,756 TEU, which was delivered by SHI to MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, in July 2019.
The order from Evergreen reinforces SHI’s position as the leading shipbuilder of ultra-large containerships, with fourteen 23,000 TEU ships now in its orderbook.
"These vessels can sail safely and economically with SVESSEL installed, a next-generation smart ship system independently developed by Samsung Heavy. Outfitted with Energy Saving Devices (ESDs), such as SAVER Fin and Rudder bulb, and new hull forms, these high-efficient smart ships can reduce fuel consumption by up to 7%," said a press release.
SAVER Fin, an SHI's representative ESD that is applied to outer plating of vessels, is a device to control water flow around hulls that boasts improved fuel efficiency and significantly reduced ship vibrations. Having been applied to more than 200 vessels to date, it's no wonder that its technological prowess has been proven.
Other types of ESDs like Rudder bulb and SAVER Stator, which enhance marine propulsion by controlling water flow before and behind propellers, have also been used on many vessels.
SHI's 23,000 TEU box ships orderbook has now become the world's largest with 14 vessels, which illustrates that Samsung has been recognized in the large carriers' market when it comes to quality.
"The demand for ultra-large containerships is expected to continue as global ship owners have reduced cost through an economy of scale. Based upon advanced technologies including smart ships and reduced energy consumption as well as new designs for hull forms, Samsung Heavy will keep leading the ultra-large box ships market," said an official of SHI.
Meanwhile, SHI's year-to-date contract wins stand at $ 5.1 billion, which meets 65% of its annual target $ 7.8 billion, with 35 vessels of different types, including 14 crude oil tankers, 11 LNG carriers, six container ships, two product carriers, one special ship and one FPSO.
