China's First Giants - DNV GL to Class SWS Built ULC

DNV GL signed a newbuilding classification agreement with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (SWS) for the classification of three 20,000 TEU ultra large container ships (ULCS) for COSCO Container Lines Co., Ltd. (COSCON). Scheduled for delivery beginning in January 2018, the vessels will be dual classed by DNV GL and China Classification Society (CCS) and will be deployed in the Far East–Europe trade.

“This contract is another milestone in China’s evolution into one of the world’s leading shipbuilding nations,” said Jan-Olaf Probst, Head of Business Development Hamburg. “SWS has been on a very strong development path and has consistently been one of the top Chinese yards in terms of efficiency and innovation, so it is only fitting that they are the first yard to top the 20,000 TEU mark in China. We are very proud that SWS have recognized our unmatched expertise in the boxship sector by awarding us this contract, and look forward to supporting them through to a successful delivery.”     

Designed by the Marine Design & Research Institute of China (MARIC), this next generation ULCS represents the first 20,000 TEU plus container ship contracted to be built in China. Developed around the concept of “safe, green and economic”, the design also takes into consideration COSCON’s operational requirements with a focus on efficiencies in both fuel consumption and cargo load.

The vessels will have DNV GL’s Gas Ready notation, which will give COSCON a much easier pathway for a future conversion to operation with LNG as fuel if so desired. They will also have DNV GL’s Route Specific Container Stowage (RSCS) notation, which offers further efficiency gains in the vessel’s cargo capacity. The RSCS notation was developed by DNV GL to provide an even more efficient usage of cargo capacity by giving more flexibility for laden containers on board on specific routes. Additionally, the vessels will be constructed to the highest environmental requirements, meeting the highest EEDI standard and ECA requirements. They also have double-hull protection of fuel tanks and ballast water treatment systems in anticipation of upcoming regulations.

DNV GL will provide comprehensive multidiscipline advisory services to the customers, leveraging DNV GL’s long experience in the analysis and verification of container ships. Together with the customers they will work to realize an optimized and advanced design with high operational reliability in terms of motion, global strength, whipping and springing, noise & vibration and the shafting system.