Fri 24 Jan 2014, 11:56 GMT

Evergreen continues fuel efficiency drive


Shipping firm says ongoing fleet renewal program has led to significant improvements in fuel efficiency.



Ever Lively, the sixteenth in a series of Evergreen Line's L-type containerships built by Samsung Heavy Industries, was christened by Bronson Hsieh, the Evergreen Group's Second Vice Group Chairman, at the shipbuilder's shipyard in Korea this week. The official rope-cutting of the new 8,452-TEU vessel was performed by Ms. Ching-fen Cheng, Executive Vice President of Central Reinsurance Corporation.

On the same day, Vice Group Chairman Marcel Chang presided at the naming ceremony of Ever Lenient, the seventeenth vessel in the series. The rope-cutting on this occasion was conducted by Mrs. Connie Chang, wife of Mr. Chang.

"As a primary benefit of our ongoing fleet renewal program, we have seen a significant enhancing of the fuel efficiency of the line's operation. We believe that the delivery of Ever Lively, Ever Lenient and other newbuildings to come will continue to improve the competitiveness of our operating fleet in the global shipping market," said Mr. Hsieh in his speech at the ceremony.

Ever Lively and Ever Lenient are owned by Evergreen Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd. and Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd. respectively. The two ships are 334.8 metres in length, 45.8 metres wide, have 948 reefer plugs and a draft of 14.2 metres. Each can cruise at speeds up to 24.5 knots. Both will be delivered in February and join Evergreen Line's Far East - Middle East route.

Evergreen Line commenced its fleet renewal program in 2010 when the company says shipbuilding costs were at 'cost-effective levels'. The project entailed ordering of thirty L-type vessels and chartering of five 8,800 TEU ships as well as ten 13,800 TEU units. The carrier also recently signed agreements to charter ten 14,000 TEU vessels.

The newbuildings will act as replacements for existing units. The delivery of newbuildings will be balanced by the redelivery of currently chartered ships when their charter periods expire.


Jamaica bunkering hub study presentation. Study maps route for Jamaica to become regional hub for alternative marine fuels  

Research identifies Jamaica's location, port traffic and existing LNG infrastructure as foundations for a regional alternative marine fuels hub.

A2B Progress vessel. A2B-online orders two more methanol-fuelled vessels for shortsea network  

Dutch shortsea operator expands newbuild series to four ships, adding methanol propulsion and battery capacity for emission-free port calls.

Höegh Autoliners and BYD Energy Storage cooperation agreement signing. Höegh Autoliners signs battery deal with BYD for ammonia-ready car carrier  

Ro-ro shipper teams up with BYD Energy Storage to combine batteries, solar power and ammonia-ready propulsion on a single car carrier.

Hercules Angelica vessel. Hercules Tanker Management adds new Ultra-Spec tanker to fleet with FAME cargo run  

Hercules Angelica begins maiden voyage carrying FAME from Malaysia to the UK/ARA region.

SHI and Morimura sign MoU. Samsung Heavy Industries and Japan's Morimura to jointly develop solid oxide fuel cells for ships  

Companies target 2028 commercialisation of SOFC technology for merchant vessels and floating data centres.

Shin Ueda and Benny Hilstrom. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding gains WinGD approval for ammonia fuel handling system  

Japanese shipbuilder becomes first in the country to receive supplier pre-approval for key components of WinGD's ammonia-fuelled engine.

Rendering of a battery-powered bulk carrier vessel. Battery-powered bulk carrier wins NOK 89.2m Enova grant  

Bulk Loaders and DP World secure Norwegian state funding for a zero-emission cargo vessel designed by NSD.

Empire State Building, New York. Maersk Oil Trading seeks New York-based fuel trader for Americas bunker business  

Firm looking for candidates with 'several years' of relevant experience in fuel trading, bunker trading, fuel marketing, cargo trading, or similar.

Taha Karakan and Aydın Yıldız, Alkagesta. Alkagesta completes Energy Petrol takeover, appoints new marine sales leadership in Türkiye  

Acquisition includes eight marine fuel supply vessels and a long-term lease of tank capacity in Gebze.

Venezuela flag. TFG Marine extends Caribbean bunkering reach into Venezuela  

Majority Trafigura-owned bunker supplier partners with Impordiesel to offer marine fuel across Venezuelan ports and coastal waters.