Evergreen names the latest duo of L-type vessels

< EVER LIVELY >, the sixteenth in a series of Evergreen Line's L-type containerships built by Samsung Heavy Industries, was christened by Bronson Hsieh, the Evergreen Group's Second Vice Group Chairman, at the shipbuilder's shipyard in Korea. The official rope-cutting of the new 8,452-TEU vessel was performed by Ms. Ching-fen Cheng, Executive Vice President of Central Reinsurance Corporation.

On the same day, Vice Group Chairman Marcel Chang presided at the naming ceremony of the < EVER LENIENT >, the seventeenth vessel in the series. The rope-cutting on this occasion was conducted by Mrs. Connie Chang, wife of Mr. Chang.

"As a primary benefit of our ongoing fleet renewal program, we have seen a significant enhancing of the fuel efficiency of the line's operation. We believe that the delivery of < EVER LIVELY >,< EVER LENIENT > and other newbuildings to come will continue to improve the competitiveness of our operating fleet in the global shipping market," said Mr. Hsieh in his speech at the ceremony.

< EVER LIVELY > and < EVER LENIENT > are owned by Evergreen Marine (Singapore) Pte. Ltd and Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd., respectively. The two ships are 334.8 meters in length, 45.8 meters wide, have 948 reefer plugs, and a draft of 14.2 meters. Each can cruise at speeds up to 24.5 knots. Both will be delivered in February and join Evergreen Line's Far East - Middle East route.

Evergreen Line commenced its fleet renewal program in 2010 when shipbuilding costs reached cost-effective levels. The project entailed ordering of thirty L-type vessels and chartering of five 8,800-TEU ships as well as ten 13,800-TEU units. The carrier also recently signed agreements to charter ten 14,000-TEU vessels. The newbuildings will act as replacements for existing units; the delivery of newbuildings will be balanced by redelivery of currently chartered ships when their charter periods expire. < Korea Shipping Gazette >