Filipino shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC-Phil Inc.) has unveiled its first-ever Subic-made 20,600 TEU class container vessel in a ship ceremony at Subic facility on 25 January, “cementing its foothold in the highly competitive global shipbuilding industry.”
The newly-built vessel is the first of three 20,600 TEU class Ultra Large Container ships (ULCS) to be delivered by HHIC-Phil Inc. to French shipping magnate CMA CGM, following the signing of the newbuilding contract in April 2015.
The ‘CMA CGM Antoine De Saint Exupery’ is considered as one of the biggest commercial ships in the world, measuring 400 meters in length, 59 meters in width and 33 meters in depth. The vessel could transport up to 20,950 units of 40 foot shipping container, which, when lined up, would reach 12.5 kilometers long. Its deck is as big as four football fields.
Under the technical supervision of classification society Bureau Veritas, HHIC-Phil Inc., the ship was launched in August 2017, and it successfully underwent sea trials in December 2017.
HHIC-Phil stated: “This newly-built 20,600 TEU vessel proves, among others, the strength and capability of our Subic shipyard to manufacture in a timely manner mega ships of much higher quality tonnage that are now shaping the shipping landscape around the world”.
Recognizing the crucial role of the Philippine labor in the HHIC-Phil’s shipbuilding operations, the Company added: “The dedication of our highly skilled Filipino workers towards excellence is the driving force behind whatever positive things we have achieved amid the global economic challenges”.
