“K” Line orders more 18-box-wide megaships

“K” Line orders more 18-box-wide megaships

“K” Line orders more 18-box-wide megaships

   “K” Line said Monday it has decided to order another four 8,000-TEU containerships, which feature an unusual design including the ability of carry 18 containers abreast. The megaships will be delivered from 2008 through 2009.

   The order will enable “K” Line to improve its services and competitiveness in the east-west trades, the Japanese company said.

   Like a previous series of 8,000-TEU ships ordered by “K” Line in 2003 for the Asia-Europe trade, the new ships have a width of 45.8 meters (150 feet), a larger dimension than the usual 140 feet for this size of vessel, and a relatively shallow maximum draft of 13 meters (43 feet). Their length will be 336 meters (1,102 feet) and the service speed of the new ships will be 25.6 knots.