MAJOR Japanese shipping line, "K" Line has ordered a second batch of five 13,870-TEUers at the Imabari shipbuilding group for delivery in spring and summer 2018.
The vessels add to the five similar units ordered in March 2013 with the same shipbuilder for delivery in 2015. The 10 ships, to be built at Imabari Hiroshima, formerly known as Koyo Dockyard, will be the first ships of more than 10,000 TEU built in Japan.
Imabari's ship financing arm Shoei Kisen has already financed "K" Line newbuildings in the past and is understood to finance at least three of the 10 new units. The ships will be 365.90 metres long and 20 rows wide, Alphaliner reported.
"K" Line, a partner of the CKYH Alliance, will finalise its order for five new 14,000-TEU units shortly, while Yang Ming, another CKYH partner, has concludes chartering arrangements with Seaspan for fifteen 14,000-TEUers.
Another CKYH partner Hanjin has no 14,000 TEUers, with its largest ship at 13,102 TEU.
Evergreen, partner of the FE-Europe CKYHE, is to complete its series of ten 13,808-TEU vessels chartered from Greek owner Enesel. Further to these ships, Evergreen has a series of ten 14,000 TEU units on order, with deliveries set for 2016 and 2017.