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ZIM’s First LNG-Powered Containership Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage

Photo courtesy ZIM

ZIM’s First LNG-Powered Containership Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 7509
March 9, 2023

Israeli shipping company ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (NYSE: ZIM) has announced that its first LNG-powered newbuild has set sail on its maiden voyage.

The M/V ZIM Sammy Ofer is the first of ten dual-fuel LNG, 15,000 TEU-class ships that the company will charter from Seaspan Corporation for deployment on ZIM’s Asia-U.S. East Coast trade. All ten are being built in South Korea by Samsung Heavy Industries.

AIS data from MarineTraffic.com shows the ship departed Busan, South Korea on March 5 bound for the Panama Canal.

ZIM Sammy Offer is the first of many newbuild containerships with dual-fuel LNG capability that are expected to join ZIM’s chartered-in fleet over the next few years.

In addition to the ten 15,000 TEU ships, ZIM has charter agreements with Seaspan Corporation for another fifteen dual-fuel, 7,000 TEU-class ships currently under construction with deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of this year. It also has agreements in place to charter another three dual-fuel LNG ships with 7,000 TEU capacity from companies affiliated with Kenon Holdings for a period of eight years. Those vessels are under construction at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in South Korea with deliveries planned in the first and second quarters of 2024.

“This is a historical event for Seaspan and our valued partner ZIM,” said Bing Chen, President and CEO of Seaspan and its parent, Atlas Corporation. “We are extremely honored to deliver the vessel in recognition of a legendary industry icon, the late Mr. Sammy Ofer, as we continue our decarbonization journey. The significant fleet of highly efficient LNG vessels tailored for ZIM, will expedite both companies’ progress toward our next phases of sustainable shipping. Our subsequent deliveries of 15,000 TEU and 7,800 TEU LNG dual fuel newbuilds in 2023 are the further testimony of our commitment to our ESG values and a more sustainable marine industry. We are particularly privileged to partner with ZIM in making this forward-thinking milestone to bring these ultra-modern vessels to the market.”

Last August, ZIM signed a ten-year, $1 billion sales and purchase agreement with Shell for the supply of LNG fuel for the ten 15,000 TEU Seaspan vessels.

SAMMY OFER SEA TRIALS

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