NYK diversifies, to build 4 post-panamax pure car and truck carriers
NYK will build four next-generation type PCTCs (pure car and truck carrier) capable of transiting the Panama Canal when the third lane of locks, larger than the current two, becomes operational in the autumn of 2014.
Two of the vessels will be built by Imabari Shipbuilding Co Ltd at its factory in Marugame city in Kagawa prefecture with technical assistance being provided by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. The other two vessels will be built by Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co Ltd at its Onishi Shipyard in Ehime prefecture. All four vessels are scheduled to be completed from 2014 to 2015.
The vessels will be less than 200 metres in length and 35-36 metres abeam with a car capacity of about 7,000 units and stern ramp weight tonnage limit of 150 tons, its centre ramp at 20 tons.
The four ships are part of a new investment plan in the Japanese carrier's medium-term management plan "More Than Shipping 2013" and the first PCTCs to be built by the carrier since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 due to demand expectation for such transport.
These new vessels will be two to three metres wider than current PCTCs and will be equipped with the latest energy-saving technology, improving fuel performance by 30 per cent per unit.