HYUNDAI Merchant Marine (HMM) has taken delivery of the 13,100-TEU Hyundai Speed, ordered in September 2007 by Greek owner Danaos Shipping from shipbuilder Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.

The newbuilding is the fourth in a series of five similar-sized ships that were backed with 12-year charters from HMM, reports Alphaliner. The first three ships on order were delivered between February and May of this year with the last ship to be delivered later in June.

The five vessels were initially slated for delivery between February and September 2011 but the schedule was postponed by nine to 12 months.

The Hyundai Speed will be deployed on the new G6 Asia-Europe Loop 4.

The report said that 35 ships of this design, known as neopanamax, taking into account the coming expansion of the Panama Canal, have been so far delivered, and 18 more are scheduled for delivery until 2013. These ships are 366 metres long 48 metres abeam.