HHI wins mega French boxship order

French-based container line operator CMA CGM has upped the stakes against its arch rival, the Danish shipping giant Maersk Line, which recently took delivery of its first 11,000 TEU vessel, ?Emma Maersk?, by placing a $1.2 billion order for eight 11,400 TEU ships from South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries. Delivery is scheduled for mid-2009 to mid-2010.

Ship particulars are 363m in length, 45.6m in breadth and 29.7m in depth. Powered by a 72,000 kW main diesel engine, these newbuildings will have a speed of 24.7 knots.

The latest deal brings Hyundai?s order book for container ships to 45 so far this year, including 21 of over 10,000 TEUs. In total, Hyundai Heavy has won new orders for 115 vessels worth $12.1 billion this year, already exceeding its annual target. The shipbuilder?s backlog of orders amounts to 340 ships worth some $33 billion.

The world’s second largest container carrier, MSC, is also expected to announce an order for giant container ships.