The Evergreen Group has ordered and signed a contract with China Shipbuilding Corp. (CSBC) for ten 8,000-TEU container vessels.

The contract, signed by Bronson Hsieh, Evergreen Vice Group Chairman and Tang Tay-Ping, CSBC Chairman, is for Evergreen’s third-time order of L-class environmentally advanced vessels.

Three of the new vessels will be built for Evergreen Marine Corporation, four for Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd., and three for Evergreen Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd. All will be utilised for Evergreen Line’s worldwide services in various trade lanes. The first new vessel is due for delivery in 2013.

As part of its newest shipbuilding programme, The Evergreen Group placed orders with Samsung Heavy Industries Co. last July and September for twenty 8,000-TEU L-class vessels, which are due for delivery beginning in 2012. As with those L-class ships, the ten new ships will have an overall length of 334.8 meters (1100 feet) and a beam of 45.8 meters (150 feet) and a maximum draft of 14.2 meters. With fuel-saving features and a highly efficient operation they are designed to provide shippers an upgraded delivery service as well as reducing carbon emissions.

Evergreen will use the most advanced and environmental protection techniques in building these new ships. As with their Greenships, Evergreen will adopt tin-free coatings and environment friendly materials to prevent marine pollution and meet the requirement of Green Passport of ship recycling. AMP shore electric power can reduce air pollution caused by emissions from ships in harbour. The capacity of the marine gas oil tank is enlarged to comply with the requirements of emission control area.