New Containership

Matson Draws $70m from Credit Line

Matson Navigation Co. Inc. says it has drawn $70m under a $105m revolving credit facility in connection with its latest containership purchase. The 10-year senior secured reducing revolving credit facility is with DnB NOR Bank ASA, Norway's largest financial services group. "A portion of the funds borrowed under the facility was used in connection with Matson's purchase of a new containership, the MV Maunalei, which Matson took delivery of on July 12," Matson said Tuesday. "The balance of the funds borrowed under the facility was used for other general corporate purposes." The funds were drawn on July 12, the same day Matson, a subsidiary of Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin Inc., took delivery of the Maunalei, the fourth new containership it bought since 2003 in a $500m modernization program.

New Containership for Hapag-Lloyd

The Kyoto Express, Hapag-Lloyd’s latest mega containership, was named in Yokohama and consecrated with the traditional Shinto ceremony. The patron was the wife of NYK Chairman Minako Kusakari. The Kyoto Express is a giant containership measuring 1099 ft. (335 m) long, 141 ft. (43 m) wide; and over 197 ft. (60 m) from the keel to the superstructure. The newbuilding has a capacity of 104,000 t and can carry 8,750 standard containers (TEU)

Matson's New Ship Christened

The new Matson Navigation Co. containership MV Maunalei was christened at the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. The christening, the traditional kind involving breaking a bottle of champagne, was undertaken by Millie Akaka, wife of Sen. Daniel Akaka. Also on hand were Hawaii Rep. Neil Abercrombie and Guam Rep. Madeleine Bordallo. The MV Maunalei is the fourth new containership built by the shipyard for Matson in the past four years

Enterprise Containership Detained; Repayment of $175 Million Bond Forced

Bondholders who financed the shipping company Enterprises Shipholding, said on Tuesday they had arrested one of the company's newest containerships, the Ocelotmax, to force repayment of a $175 million bond on which it defaulted in June. "The Ocelotmax was arrested to secure the bondholders' unquestionable right to judgment and payment of their claims against Enterprises," said a statement from the bondholders. "While the bondholders have initiated multiple efforts to address the default

CP Ships Takes Delivery of TMM Colima

CP Ships Limited has taken delivery of the 3200 teu TMM Colima. It was delivered on schedule by China Shipbuilding Corporation in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. TMM Colima is the third new containership to be delivered under CP Ships' four-year $800 million ship replacement program. It was preceded by sister ship Lykes Ranger delivered in June 2002 and Contship Aurora delivered in September 2002. It is being deployed in the Asia-Americas trade lane.

Matson Containership MV Maunawili Christened in Philadelphia

Matson Navigation Company, Inc.'s new containership MV Maunawili was christened Saturday, July 17 at Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (KPSI) by Ms. Maryanna G. Shaw, great grand-daughter of Samuel T. Alexander, one of the founders of Matson's parent company, Alexander and Baldwin, Inc. (A&B). The vessel is the second of a two-ship, $220 million contract with KPSI. Among those present for the ceremony will be Charles M

Canal Proposes New Containership Pricing System

After nine months of informal consultations with its customers and the maritime industry, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) today announced a formal proposal to update their current vessel measurement and pricing system for full container vessels and other vessel types with on-deck container capacity. The ACP’s proposal would change the system that the Canal currently uses for the container segment – from the Panama Canal Universal Measurement System (PC/UMS) to the industry standard of the

MOL Orders New Containerships

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) today announced a decision to order two containerships (8,600 TEU) from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., with delivery slated for 2013. Along with eight 8,100 TEU ships already in operation, the new vessels will be deployed to Asia-Europe routes. The company also reached an agreement with NOL Group* for a three-year charter of five large containerships (14,000 TEU) of 10 that NOL Group has on order

Containerships Group Not For Sale

FINLAND-based door-to-door short-sea operator Containerships Group has reacted to a statement issued by Russian liner operator FESCO which named the company as a purchase target and says there are no plans to sell the company to FESCO or anyone else. Sigurjon Markusson, managing director of Containerships Group says, "Containerships Group is a Finnish company which is 65 per cent owned by Eimskip, which in turn is listed on the Icelandic Stock Exchange. The

Danaos Extends Containership Contract

Danaos Corporation (NYSE: DAC) extended its shipbuilding contracts with China Shipbuilding Trading Company, Limited to include one more 8,530 TEU vessel, bringing the total number to five vessels. All five Post Panamax containerships will be built by the Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Heavy Industry Company Limited and are expected to be delivered to Danaos between August 2010 and February 2011. Danaos has also arranged for a large international liner company to charter all these vessels for 12