Contship Takes Delivery of Australis

The Contship Australis, the second of three newbuildings destined for Contship Containerlines' Europe-Australasia services has been delivered and will enter service on December 17 in Auckland.

Built by Daewoo Heavy Industries in South Korea, the capacity of each ship is 4,100 teu, including 1,300 reefer plugs - making them the biggest reefer container ships in service. "The new ships are some of the most advanced in the business offering technological improvements both for the operators and customers," said David Halliday, senior vice president of CP Ships' Australasia and Asia Business Unit. "The new ships deploy integral reefer technology, rather than the old air blown system. This is a more flexible approach with global compatibilities making the transport and handling of reefer cargoes more efficient and flexible. This radical improvement in operating practice will benefit customers and operators alike." The new ships replace tonnage deployed in Contship Containerlines' Eagle service between Europe, Australia and New Zealand, forming part of a new service program on the route.