Yangming Marine Transport to Build Mega Container Ships

Taipei, Nov. 14, 2011 (CENS)--Yangming Marine Transport Corp., Taiwan's leading container shipper, has a plan to build a mega all-cargo container ship with 16,000 20-foot container capacity, double that of its large all-cargo ship with capacity of 8,200 20-foot containers.

Lu Feng-hai, chairman of Yangming, says the mega container ship will be the second-largest of its kind globally, trailing those with capacity of 18,000 20-foot containers built by the Denmark-based Maersk Line.

Eyeing such orders from Yangming, Taiwan's largest shipbuilder CSBC, Taiwan Corp. said it has the capability to build the mega container ship.

Yangming will likely order five such mega container ships at total investment of NT$22.5 billion, or US$750 million, which CSBC will be able to deliver beginning from the second half of 2015.

Despite an operating loss of NT$5.3 billion in the first three quarters, Yangming said it has to build mega ships to sharpen competitive edge in the years to come.

With nine container ships each with capacity of 8,200 20-foot containers, Yangming has ordered from CSBC five container ships each with capacity of 8,250 20-foot containers, which will be delivered in the first half of 2012.