UASC confirms options for six 14,000 teu ships at HHI

With the signing of the options UASC now has over $2bn worth of newbuildings on order at HHI, the largest newbuilding programme in the company’s history.

In August last year UASC ordered five 18,000 teu and five 14,000 teu capacity newbuildings from HHI. It also took options for six further 14,000 tue vessels and one 18,000 teu ship.

The contract taking up the six options was signed in Dubai by HE Salem Ali Al Zaabi, chairman of the UASC and YJ Ji from HHI.

“The exercising of these vessel purchase options is an integral part of the newbuilding contract that UASC signed in August 2013,” said UASC’s chairman. “This vessel order positions UASC to deliver on its long-term growth objectives and the unique design features of the vessels ensure that UASC will set new industry benchmarks for fuel economy and environmental performance.”

The 16 newbuildings are due to be delivered from late 2014 through the first half 2015.

HHI recently started work on building the largest containerships ever built, a series of 19,000 teu vessels for China Shipping which will be jointly deployed with UASC’s 18,000 teu ships on the Asia – Europe trade.