APL new container ship design is super fuel efficient

The cooperation between APL Shipping, Hyundai Heavy Industries and the Norwegian Classification Society will make APL Shipping's new vessels more fuel efficient.

According to the Norwegian Classification Society, the new hull design will enable APL Shipping's 10 super-large container ships to save approximately 20% of fuel per container compared to existing designs.

The new design has been optimized for nine speed and draft combinations involving Far East to European trade routes. The optimized draft draught, speed and assembly propulsion power will be reduced by approximately 16% compared to the originally designed ship type. The first 13,800 TEU container ship is being built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, which will be delivered next year.

Traditionally, container ships will spend a lot of time operating under "off-design" conditions, resulting in increased hull resistance and reduced efficiency of the propeller and engine. In this case, although these ships can operate at a typical speed of 15-19.5 knots, the maximum speed is only about 23 knots. With comprehensive software and an effective sea trial, the three partners are able to analyze the proposed mode of operation of the ship and optimize it accordingly.

In return, the new design of APL Shipping will save approximately $3 million per container ship per year. Cedric Foo, Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of APL's parent company NOL, stated, “In the current challenging market environment, the introduction of efficient and flexible container ships is extremely important for APL shipping companies because it helps us reduce the cost of the tank ( These container ships will be the most fuel-efficient container ships on the Asian-European container trade route that have never been built. APL Shipping has decided to promote the delivery of these new ships in 2011, using their excellent fuel efficiency. May contribute to reducing emissions."

According to Tor Svensen, president of the Norwegian Classification Society Maritime and Oil and Gas Company, “An innovative approach has been adopted to optimize the design. According to the Quantum concept launched by the Norwegian Classification Society in 2010, the concept and further innovation have been embodied. We are very happy to see that this concept and innovation has been used in the real design of Hyundai Heavy Industries and APL Shipping."