m.v. OOCL Rotterdam, the third SX-class post-Panamax container vessel (8,063 TEUs) ordered by OOCL with Samsung Heavy Industries, was christened at the PSA Pasir Pajang Terminals in Singapore today. It is the first of the four vessels scheduled to be delivered to OOCL in 2004.
m. v. OOCL Rotterdam, likes her sister vessels, m.v. OOCL Shenzhen and m.v. OOCL Long Beach, is the largest liner ever built by Samsung. Besides being renowned for their size and container capacity (maximum stowage on deck is 17 rows of eight tiers high, and in the holds 15 rows of nine tiers), our SX-class vessels are also celebrated for their advanced design features. M.v. OOCL Rotterdam, for example, is fitted with the largest main engine currently available for marine use. It is designed environmentally friendly with full compliance with the emission control requirement of NOX. SX-class vessels can also travel at the same speed as similarly designed ships with less fuel oil consumption. By adopting the latest IT technology into the engine control system, the ship’s marine engine and other auxiliary machineries can be fully controlled and manoeuvred at various points on board the vessel.
Besides being recognized as the largest containership in the world by the Guinness World Record in 2003, the post-Panamax containership has also been awarded the accolade of " the best ship of the year 2003 " by three prestigious trade magazines.
The vessel was christened this morning by Mrs. Daphne King Yao, daughter of Roger and Alice King. Roger is a director of OOIL, while Alice is the sister of Mr. C.C. Tung, Chairman of OOIL Group, who was also present at the ceremony.
Mr. C.C. Tung said in his address at the ceremony, "OOCL experienced a satisfactory year in 2003 due to OOCL’s strategy of organic growth and our persistence in embracing our newbuilding programs as part of our long-term business plan to provide a competitive quality service to our customers. We also have much to be optimistic about in 2004. Consumer confidence and demand in the major import economies of Europe and North America appear to be gathering strength. Meanwhile, we have seen a large growth in manufacturing in Asia, creating new sources of cargo. We at OOCL are well prepared to serve our customers’ demand in all these areas with our added tonnage."
OOCL Rotterdam christened by Mrs. Daphne King Yao
m.v. OOCL Rotterdam will be deployed in the same trade lane of m.v. OOCL Shenzhen under China Europe Express Loop of the Asia Europe Service of the Grand Alliance as follows:
Shanghai / Xiamen / Yantian / Hong Kong / Singapore / Suez / Southampton / Hamburg / Rotterdam / Gioia Tauro / Port Said / Port Kelang / Singapore / Hong Kong and back to Shanghai, a round trip of 56 days.
Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. (OOCL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed Orient Overseas (International) Ltd. OOCL headquartered in Hong Kong, is an international container transport and logistics service provider. Linking Asia, Europe, North America, the Mediterranean, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East and Australia/New Zealand, the company offers transportation services to all major east/west trading economies of the world. OOCL is one of the leading international carriers serving China, providing a full range of logistics and transportation services throughout the country. It is also an industry leader in the use of information technology and e-commerce to manage the entire cargo process. Website: www.oocl.com
