DSME Rolls Out World's Largest Containership
Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) has named the MSC Oscar, which has claimed the title of the world’s biggest containership. After the christening ceremony the MSC Oscar departed for Busan.
The vessel has a capacity of 19,224 containers, and is the equivalent of four football stadiums in length with the nominal capacity of 19,224 TEU. The prestigious title has been taken over from China Shipping’s CSCL Globe, boasting 19,100 teu, which is currently on its maiden voyage in Europe.
A report in Korea Times says that it was the first vessel of the three that China's Bank of Communications has ordered to charter to Swiss container shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). "The vessel is equipped with pure dry system that can purify and recycle waste oil produced. It is the most eco-friendly and high-fuel efficient vessel," said a company official in a press statement.
The colossal ship will be employed on Asia-Northern Europe route, that will include calls at Busan – Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Rotterdam – Antwerp and elsewhere. The behemoth containership will embark on its maiden voyage to Europe on January 25.
Vessels operating costs heavily rely on fuel prices, which account for 60 percent. Since the shipping industry is grappling with a chronic downturn, it is paying more attention to developing vessels with high-fuel efficiency. The Oscar will run on the Asia-Nothern Europe route from Busan to Shanghai, Rotterdam and Antwerp.
DSME's advanced technology in building carriers has enabled it to snag a slew of orders from customers like BP Shipping and Angelicoussis Group. It has also been chosen to build 16 LNG carriers for the Yamal LNG project in Russia. DSME has won 38 LNG carrier orders in 2014.
