Seaspan designs new Panamax SAVER 10,000 series for delivery in 2014/15

The new generation of 10,000TEU container vessels contracted in China by Seaspan represents major improvements in energy efficiency, cargo capacity, operational efficiency and emission reductions, according to classification society Det Norske Veritas (DNV)

The new features have been developed in a collaboration between Seaspan, the Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, MARIC and DNV.

The order for seven 10,000TEU container vessels and 18 options signed in Shanghai on 8 June is the biggest ever container contract entered into in China. The vessels will be built to DNV class.

The Seaspan container ship hull lines have been optimised for a speed range of 18 to 22 knots. In this range, the fuel consumption has been reduced by 16% to 27% compared to contemporary similar-size ship series presently operated by the industry. Compared to current 10,000TEU container vessels in operation or presently being built, DNV said the improvements due to new design features are substantial. The cargo capacity is increased by 10% while the fuel consumption is reduced by 20%.

The new hull design enables the vessels to carry minimum amounts of ballast water while in operation. The vessels are designed to reduce the emissions to air by approximately 20% in order to meet the future regulatory emission requirements.

This follows Seaspan’s three-year SAVER (Seaspan Action on Vessel Energy Reduction) program aimed at improving cargo uplift, reducing fuel consumption and improving operational performance. “The SAVER 10,000TEU vessels embody Seaspan’s long-term focus on and philosophy of providing the market with increasingly efficient vessels and retaining Seaspan’s leadership in this area.  “We were leaders in introducing post-8,000TEU vessels, we promoted slow steaming back in 2006 and we are now presenting a next-generation product that provides for a paradigm shift in the performance of the larger-size container ships,” Seaspan Ship Management Vice President Peter Curtis said. These features make for a series of ships on which seafarers can be proud to sail. The seven vessels the company currently has on order will be chartered to Hanjin Shipping, South Korea’s largest shipping company and one of the world’s top ten container carriers.

The company also has an option to build up to 18 more of these vessels.

Seaspan is committed to excelling as a company and as an industry leader. With this new series of ships, the company moves one more step closer to being the world’s preferred supplier of container ship tonnage and the employer of choice in the marine sector.

The safety of seafarers onboard Seaspan ships has always been the company’s primary objective.

Through several design features, these ships will also meet the new cargo stowage and securing code, which focuses on increasing stevedore safety.