Hull design of new ultra large container ships boost fuel economy

Collaboration among industry giants APL, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and DNV has developed a hull design that will increase APL’s 10 new ultra large container ships 20% per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) more fuel-efficient compared to existing designs. With the aid of sophisticated software and virtual sea trials, the three partners were able to analyze the proposed trading pattern of their ships and optimize accordingly.
“This is a new way of cooperation between the partners in a new building project,” explained Gyung-Jin Ha, executive vice president of the Basic Design Office in the Shipbuilding Division of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). “Due to a concentrated and professional effort from all three parties we managed not only to keep the tight design schedule but also to unlock an amazing potential for fuel savings,” he said.
The design is meant for optimum operating performance involving nine speed and draught combinations along the Far East to Europe trade route. HHI has already begun construction of the first new 13,800 TEU ships, scheduled to be delivered next year. The resulting fuel savings for APL will amount to around US$3 million per ship per year.
“In the current challenging market environment it is extremely important for APL to introduce efficient and flexible container ships, which help us to reduce slot costs. These ships will be the most fuel-efficient ships ever built for the Asia-Europe container trade,” said Cedric Foo, Group Deputy President and CFO of APL’s mother company NOL.
“APL has decided to advance the delivery of the new buildings, which have been ordered in 2011 using their superior fuel efficiency and to make a contribution to cutting emissions as soon as possible.” (September 7, 2012)