Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. (Yang Ming) held a naming ceremony on September 17 at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, for “YM Weight”, the fourth vessel in its series of five 15,500 TEU-class LNG dual-fuel container vessels built by HD HHI.
This series of vessels built by HD HHI has a length overall (LOA) of 364.97 meters, a breadth of 51 meters, and a capacity of approximately 15,600 TEU. The vessels are equipped with high-pressure dual-fuel main engines that run on both LNG and low-sulfur fuel oil, along with integrated navigational information, equipment monitoring, broadband maritime satellite systems, and multiple energy-saving systems to enhance operational efficiency and navigational safety.
“YM Weight”, the fourth vessel in the series, is jointly classed by CR and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), bringing international classification expertise and capabilities to safeguard the safety and technical compliance of next-generation LNG dual-fuel vessels. Furthermore, following proactive underwater noise measurements, the vessel has achieved two industry firsts by receiving the Underwater Noise (UWN) notation from ABS and the Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) notation from CR. The dual recognitions underscore Yang Ming’s commitment to mitigate operational impact on marine life and sustainable development. The collaboration also demonstrates the joint efforts of Taiwan’s classification sector and the shipping industry in advancing the development of new-energy vessels.
In addition to expanding its next-generation fleet and strengthening its core shipping business, Yang Ming has continued to strengthen professional training for seafarers operating alternative-fuel vessels. Yang Ming’s senior Captain Ming-Yeong Pan will serve as the delivery captain of ‘YM Weight’. Captain Pan is the first seafarer in Taiwan to receive the Advanced Training Certificate under the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), Certificate No. 0001, issued by the Maritime and Port Bureau, MOTC. To date, 148 Yang Ming officers have completed advanced IGF Code training and will progressively undertake onboard training aboard LNG-fueled vessels and practical alternative-fuel bunkering training. With ‘YM Weight’ directly managed and operated by Yang Ming, the vessel demonstrates the company’s achievements in cultivating professional seafarers, from professional training to the practical operation of new-energy vessels, while building the core expertise and safety management capabilities required for its expanding alternative-fuel fleet.
“YM Weight” will be deployed on Yang Ming’s Asia–West Mediterranean MS2 service, providing customers with reliable transportation services between key markets in Asia and the West Mediterranean. The comprehensive port rotation for the MS2 service is: Pusan – Shanghai – Ningbo – Kaohsiung – Shekou – Singapore – (Cape of Good Hope) – Tangier – Valencia – Barcelona – Genoa – La Spezia – Fos – (Cape of Good Hope) – Singapore – Laem Chabang – Cai Mep – Yantian – Pusan – Long Beach – Oakland – Pusan.