Wan Hai Lines christens new eco-friendly 13,100 TEU newbuilding

Taiwanese shipping company Wan Hai Lines has held a naming ceremony for its newest containership, the WAN HAI A17, at Samsung Heavy Industries Geoje shipyard.

The vessel was named in a ceremony officiated by Wan Hai Lines chairman Po-Ting Chen and S.A. Choi, vice chairman & CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, with Chih-Jung Chang performing the christening rituals.

The WAN HAI A17 is the latest addition to Wan Hai Lines’ 13,100 TEU series. It measures 335 meters in length, 51 meters in breadth, and features a draft of 16 meters. It possesses a maximum cruising speed of 22 knots.

Designed with energy-saving, fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly engines, the ship has also obtained the Smart Ship Notation certification. This certification allows for real-time monitoring of navigation data as well as equipment operation conditions—a feature that aims to ensure ‘safe and reliable maritime transportation services.’

The new 13,100 TEU vessel—part of a fleet expansion initiative involving 13 ships—will soon join the Wan Hai Asia to East Coast of North America ‘AA7’ service.

As per the company’s report, WAN HAI A17 is part of Wan Hai Lines’ broader strategy to modernize its fleet and increase capacity to respond to the ‘growing demand for efficient and reliable shipping services’.

In line with its sustainability efforts, in 2024, Wan Hai Lines placed an order for up to 20 methanol dual-fuel container vessels with a capacity of around 8,000 TEU. In addition, on August 12, 2024, following a Letter of Intent (LOI), the company ordered another four 8,700 TEU methanol dual-fuel boxships.

Last year, the shipping heavyweight welcomed its first 13,100 TEU eco-friendly containership, following a deal with another South Korean shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

This containership is part of a five-vessel series Wan Hai Lines initially ordered from HHI in 2021. It is equipped with fully-balanced twisted bulb-rudders and a pre-swirl fin. It is reportedly also able to meet the ‘highest level of requirement’ for the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).

To further its decarbonization efforts, Wan Hai Lines also signed a 10-year sustainability-linked shipping financing agreement with Standard Chartered Bank for NT$3 billion ($96 million). As informed, the company has committed to a 50% reduction in its fleet’s carbon intensity by 2030. Wan Hai Lines has also obtained dual certifications in greenhouse gas inventory and GHG Protocol since 2022.