The steady flow of ultra-large containerships (ULCS) into the Asia-Europe trade will ease briefly in 2016, as the number of new deliveries will slow down temporarily before resuming its climb in 2017, industry analyst Alphaliner said.
A total of 37 ships of 13,800-20,000 teu have been delivered so far this year, all of which have been deployed to the Asia-North Europe route. Another 13 ships within this size range are due to be delivered by December, all bound for the same trade.
For 2016, deliveries of ships of this size will fall to ‘only’ 37. This number includes 13 units of 19,000-20,000 teu, thereof 11 for MSC’s account.
In addition to this, UASC is to receive the last two of its six A-18 ’BARZAN’ class ships of 19,870 teu in the first quarter of 2016, following the delivery of the first four units in 2015.
At 19,870 teu, the UASC ships are currently the world’s largest containerships in terms of nominal container intake. Nevertheless, UASC officially only declares them as 18,800 teu units.
According to Alphaliner, all 18,000 – 20,000 teu container ships ordered or in service so far, share similar physical dimensions as they feature a breadth of 58.60 -59.00 m, allowing to stow 23 rows of containers on deck and 21 rows in holds.
They also have a similar length of 395-400 m, that fits 24 bays of 40’ containers. However, at least one design has opted for an increased hull depth, allowing to stow one extra tier of boxes under the hatches. The difference in nominal capacity however, is mainly due to extra notional deck loads.
These can only be fully utilised for carrying empty container stacked up to 11 tiers high on deck. Usable capacity on headhaul legs, when ships are filled with laden containers, stands at around 18,000- 18,500 teu for all designs.
However, APM-Maersk’s latest orders for 11 second generation EEE – class units , advertised with an intake of 19,630 teu, differ from other designs ordered so far and feature a scantling draft of 16.50 m, instead of 16,00 m. This would allow for a larger intake of laden containers, likely over 19,000 teu.