HAMBURG shipowner ER Schiffahrt has christened its first two 13,100-TEU vessels, considered to be among the largest containerships in the world, in Ulsan, South Korea.
Measuring 366 metres in length, 48.2 metres abeam and drawing 15.5 metres draught, the Benedetta and the Cristina are the 100th and 101st ships put into operation by the shipping company that was founded in 1998.
The company said the ships will be commissioned in November and December and fly the German flag. There will be two cadets in each of the ship's 24-man crews and they will be under long-term charters to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
"We are currently waiting to see if the German federal government will continue to contribute to the German Maritime Association," said CEO Albert Schumacher.
In the past the government has helped ship management companies partially offset some of the competitive drawbacks they face in comparison to ships flying foreign flags via its contributions to the German Maritime Association, but this may cease to be the case.
Hyundai Heavy Industries is working on six other 13,100-TEU ships for ER Schiffahrt which are expected to be delivered by May 20112.