New VLCS order for HHI

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has won a 1.28-trillion won ($1.35 billion) deal to

build eight very large container ships (VLCS) for a European shipping company. The vessels will all be delivered by April 2012.

Although the identity of the shipping company has not been disclosed, it coincides with an order of eight units of 13,092 teu by the German company Münchmeyer & Petersen (MPC), backed by a long term charter by Hanjin Shipping. One or two options are believed to be attached.

The new order boosts to 21 the number of VLCS on order for Hanjin account. It adds to eight units of around 10,000 teu (in two series) and five of 8,580 teu. The VLCS order book now counts 330 ships over 8,000 teu, totalling 3.53 million teu according to AXS-Alphaliner records.