Imabari to Build 20,000 Teu Containerships

Japan’s Imabari Shipbuilding, with the cooperation of Marubeni Corporation, has secured a newbuilding order for eleven 20,000teu ultra-large container ships, the largest container carriers in the world to date.

These 400m long, 59m wide vessels will go to overseas shipowners and will feature advanced energy efficiency technology. The first vessel is scheduled to be completed in early 2018.

Imabari has built over 200 container ships including the world’s first 4,800teu vessel in 1995, the largest at that time. The company is currently building Japan’s largest container ship to date – a 14,000teu vessel. 

In order to accommodate construction of the vessels, Imabari has decided to construct a large newbuilding dry dock of about 600m length by 80m breadth on reclaimed land near the company’s headquarters in Marugame City. 

The new dry dock construction permit has already been granted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Its construction will start next month, and it is scheduled to be completed in October 2016 by the consortium of Rinkai Construction, Obayashi Corporation and Toyo Construction.