Mitsubishi Launches Ever Spring

Reviving the name of Evergreen’s very first full containership, Chang Kuo-Cheng (K C Chang), Evergreen Group’s Vice Group Chairman, launched the 7024 TEU Ever Spring in Kobe, Japan, on 17 May, She is due for delivery in August 2006 and is scheduled to enter service on the WAE pendulum service linking the West Coast of North America with Asia and Northern Europe. Ever Spring is the fifth in a series of ten S-types being built for the Evergreen Group by Mitsubishi. Three have already been delivered to the Evergreen Group’s UK affiliate Hatsu Marine Ltd and a fourth, Hatsu Smile, is due for delivery at the beginning of June. The honour of cutting the ceremonial rope sending the traditional bottle of champagne against its bow to launch and send Ever Spring on her way down the slipway was given to Mr K C Chang’s wife, Mrs Tseng Chiung-Hui. The Evergreen Group is taking delivery of 18 large post-Panamax containerships over the period 2005 to 2008 – ten S-types and eight 8063 TEU C-types – allowing the Group companies to upgrade existing services and phase out older vessels.