Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. (Yang Ming) will be adding another new 11,000 TEU class container vessel to its trans-Pacific service immediately.
The vessel — which it recently named 'YM Trophy' — will follow the port rotation of PS6: Qingdao – Ningbo – Pusan – Los Angeles – Kobe – Qingdao.
Yang Ming took delivery of the ship on April 27.
The shipping line said the additional ship will lower the average age of Yang Ming's global fleet, reduce unit cost, and achieve energy efficiency.
"In all, the ships will allow more flexibility in fleet deployment, maximize capacity utilization, and meet the demands of customers. The entire series is expected to significantly enhance Yang Ming's overall competitiveness and strengthen its global service network," the liner said in a statement.
It added that the vessel is chartered from Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and was built by Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
"After delivery, YM Trophy will be put into service immediately on Yang Ming’s Trans-Pacific route PS6 to provide efficient transport service between Asia and Pacific Southwest," Yang Ming added.
To increase Yang Ming's mid-to-long-term operational efficiency, the company has ordered a total of fourteen 11,000 TEU container vessels through long-term charter agreements with ship owners.
YM Trophy is the tenth in the series. It was named at a ceremony held at Imabari Hiroshima Shipyard on April 7.
Yang Ming noted that this type of vessel has a nominal capacity of 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, and a draft of 16 meters, the 'YM Trophy' can cruise at a speed of up to 23 knots.
The containership also incorporates various environmental features including scrubbers, Water Ballast Treatment Plant, and an Alternative Marine Power system.
YM Trophy adopts the twin-island design to increase loading capacity and navigational visibility, therefore enabling greater efficiency and safety. Its ship hull form optimization increases energy-saving efficiency and reduces overall emissions.
It also has a shorter length and beam, allowing the ship to maneuver during berthing or departure more easily.
The new dimensions will also enable the ship to call at major ports worldwide and pass through the new Panama Canal with no restriction and facilitate greater flexibility in vessel deployment.
"Following the delivery of YM Trophy, the new ship, and its sister ships will be deployed on Yang Ming's Transpacific Southwest service PS6, Transpacific Northwest service PN2 & PN3, and Far East-South America service SA3, respectively," Yang Ming said.