HONG KONG's Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has unveiled its second 13,208-TEU mega vessel to join its fleet this year at a naming ceremony at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard on Geoje Island, South Korea.
OOCL Berlin christened at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard on Geoje Island, South Korea
The OOCL Berlin was named by sponsor Sachiko Sano and was joined by guest of honour, Makiko Sano, both from the Yamasa Co.
In welcoming guests to the celebration, Orient Overseas (International) Limited chairman CC Tung thanked those who contributed to the success of the vessel and acknowledged the encouraging support by the Yamasa Co to OOCL.
"At a time when the container shipping industry is still facing great challenges in today's market environment, we are very thankful to Yamasa for their confidence and trust in OOCL's performance, to be providing the financial support we needed to have this magnificent vessel built," said Mr Tung.
In a statement, OOCL said the mega vessel will be an important part to improving the shipping line's competitive edge as the new generation of ships are designed and built with efficiency objectives in mind to provide better economies of scale and sailing performance at sea.
By embracing innovative designs and the latest green technologies, the OOCL Berlin will also contribute to improving the environment. With a sophisticated hull form design to optimise performance with state-of-the-art engine technologies, lower energy consumption will result.
The OOCL Berlin will be deployed on Loop 4 of the Asia-Europe service with a port rotation of Ningbo, Shanghai-Yangshan, Shenzhen-Yantian, Singapore, Suez Canal, Le Havre, Southampton, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Suez Canal, Jeddah, Singapore, Yantian and back to Ningbo in a 77-day round trip.