Many of the world’s largest liners have embarked on supersizing their ships in order to to reduce emissions per container carried.
The latest carrier to engage a yard to add slots to existing ships is Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC). The is the first of what is expected to be six sisterships going in for expansion with Alphaliner reporting the ship has increased its capacity from 16,552 to about 18,500 teu after a 75-day stay at Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard in southern China.
is the first of what is expected to be six sisterships going in for expansion with Alphaliner reporting the ship has increased its capacity from 16,552 to about 18,500 teu after a 75-day stay at Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard in southern China.The carrier decided to install so-called Mickey Mouse ears to the ships’ outer rows as well as increasing the height of the ship’s deckhouse and funnel. In addition a new bulbous bow and a scrubber were installed.
Maersk, CMA CGM, Evergreen and Hapag-Lloyd are among the other carriers who have been supersizing existing ships lately.
In related liner retrofit news carried by Alphaliner, Maersk has contracted another Chinese yard to carry out engine retrofits on six 2009-built ships. Working with Wartsila, Maersk’s engine de-rating solution ensures that large powerful boxship main engines, designed for the high service speeds of past decades, can be switched to smaller engines that are more suited for today’s slow-steaming environment.
Xinya Shipard, which is contracted to perform the engine switches, has also been contracted by Maersk to carry out the world’s first methanol engine retrofit.
Interesting reading. Retrofitting much older vessels the costs involved must add up to make it worth while?