STX begins construction of mega containership

STX Shipbuilding has started construction of a 13,000-TEU containership in its Jinhae shipyard and is for the first time the South Korean shipbuilder has embarked on a large-scale containership construction. This vessel is the lead ship in a nine-ship series of 13,000-TEU containerships ordered by a Greek ship owner in August 2007 for a total cost of $1.5 billion.

The containership, measuring 365.8m in length, 48.4m in width, and 29.9m in height, will be launched in November this year and is scheduled for delivery early next year. The remaining eight vessels are slated for delivery from 2010 to 2011. They will be capable of running at a maximum speed of 25.2 knots and be equipped with optimal container loading capacity.

Taking the opportunity of the recent large-scale containership construction, STX Shipbuilding plans to gear up its efforts in building high added-value vessels suited for its status as the world?s fourth largest shipbuilder. STX Shipbuilding is actively targeting the overseas market with its design for a 22,000-TEU containership.