As final Evergreen S-series is launched Chairman Chang still adamant on no super post panamaxes

Kobe: Ever Salute, the last of ten 7,024 teu S-series vessels being built for Evergreen in Japan, was launched on Friday at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Kobe shipyard.

Due for delivery in January 2008, Ever Salute is scheduled to join one of Evergreen Line's transpacific services. The first eight vessels are now operating on the company's new China Europe Shuttle (CES) that offers a fast link between Asia and North Europe, while the ninth vessel, Ever Safety, is scheduled for delivery next month (October) and will also enter the transpacific trade.

In a recent interview with SAO, Evergreen chairman Dr Chang said the group would not be building any larger ships for fear they would prove too difficult to fill were there to be a market slump. He remains very proud of the S-series which he referrred to as 'best in class' on environmental grounds because of features such as Alternative Maritime Power, double hulls and location f fuel tanks in transversal bulkhead spaces in order to minimise the chance of an oil spill in the event of a collision or grounding.  [10/09/07]