Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. (Yang Ming) will be adding one new 11,000 TEU class container vessel on its trans-Pacific service starting July 30.

The vessel — which it recently named 'YM Travel'  — will follow the port rotation of Qingdao – Ningbo – Pusan – Los Angeles – Oakland – Kobe – Qingdao.

"These new buildings will lower the average age of its global fleet, reduce unit cost and achieve energy efficiency. In addition, these ships will accelerate fleet optimization to proactively cope with the challenges and stricter environmental regulations faced by the fast-changing shipping industry," the Taiwan-based ocean shipping company said.

Yang Ming started taking delivery of these new vessels in 2020. 

Surge in demand cited

"The container shipping market has seen a surge in demand. During the period, the deployment of these new vessels will enable Yang Ming to maximize capacity utilization," it added.

YM  Travel is the sixth delivered in the series 11,860 TEU and is equipped with 1,000 plugs for reefer containers. With a length of 333.9 meters, a width of 48.4 meters, a draft of 16 meters, these vessels are designed to cruise at a speed up to 23 knots.

The containerships incorporate various environmental features including scrubbers, water ballast treatment plant, and an alternative marine power systems.

"This type of vessel adopts the twin-island design to increase loading capacity and navigational visibility to ensure more efficiency and safety. The ship hull form optimization will further increase energy saving and reduce overall emissions," Yang Ming added.

Easier navigation through Panama Canal

The shipper noted that the ships are also designed with shorter lengths and beams, which makes them easier to maneuver during berthing or departure. The new dimensions enable these ships to call at major ports worldwide and pass through the new Panama Canal with no restriction and facilitate greater flexibility in vessel deployment.

The vessel was chartered from Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and built by Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. It was named at a ceremony held at Imabari Hiroshima Shipyard.

To further strengthen Yang Ming’s mid-to-long-term operational efficiency, the company ordered a total of fourteen 11,000 TEU new buildings through long-term charter agreements with ship owners.