CP Ships Takes Delivery of Lykes Ranger

Ships Limited has taken delivery of the 3200 teu Lykes Ranger. It is the first in a series of new geared containerships being built under the company's $800 million ship replacement program and was delivered on schedule by China Shipbuilding Corporation in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Lykes Ranger entered service on 20th June in Hong Kong to begin deployment in the Asia-Americas trade lane, where CP Ships has two twice- weekly services under the Lykes Lines and TMM Lines brands. It replaces the 3000 teu Hyundai Pioneer, which had been deployed on a short-term charter basis. With four sister ships also built by China Shipbuilding scheduled for deployment in the Asia-Americas trade lane by early 2003, customers will benefit from greater fleet uniformity and improved consistency and flexibility. CP Ships' ship replacement program remains on schedule. By the middle of 2003 an additional nine new ships, one second-hand ship, and six long-term charters are scheduled for delivery. This will increase the owned and long- term committed fleet to more than 70% of total capacity from about 30% when the program started in 2000. By owning a higher proportion of its ship fleet CP Ships believes that it will reduce operating costs over the medium to long term and improve the availability of the right ships for its regional trade lanes at the right time.