On March 13, Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding officially held the steel-cutting ceremony, marking the commencement of construction on the lead vessel of a series of 14,000 TEU container ships bound for Taiwan-based carrier T.S. Lines.
This vessel represents the fourth type of container ship constructed by Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and is classed by the ABS. The continuous construction of these four distinct container ship types demonstrates the company’s core capabilities in the field of container ship construction.
Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has thoroughly synthesized and applied the construction experience gained from its 7,000 TEU, 9,200 TEU, and 11,000 TEU container ship series. By continuously advancing the “Three Cancellations and Four Zeros” initiative and further refining completion management in line with the objective of “Commercialized Grand Blocks,” the company ensures the efficient and rapid construction of this vessel.
It is understood that T.S. Lines and Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding signed shipbuilding contracts in June 2024 for two 14,000 TEU methanol-fuel-ready large container ships and two 7,000 TEU medium-sized container ships.
Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding stated that the 14,000 TEU container ship represents a new generation of large-scale, eco-friendly container ships developed and designed independently by the company. Capable of carrying 14,000 standard 20-foot containers, the vessel builds upon a conventional fuel-powered, “twin-island” design while incorporating a pre-installed provision for a methanol fuel propulsion system—a feature that will significantly reduce future green fuel retrofit costs for shipowners.
This vessel type is equipped with a suite of devices for desulfurization, carbon reduction, energy conservation, and drag reduction—including scrubbers and wind shields. These features will significantly optimize the vessel’s speed and performance, reduce carbon emissions, and effectively lower fuel consumption and operating costs.