Independent Chinese feeder operator Asean Seas Line (ASL), which until now operated only chartered vessels, has ventured into ship owning, with two 1,900TEU ships ordered from Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]On 24 March the shipbuilder announced the order of the Bangkokmaxes and are the 12th and 13th consecutive orders of this ship design since 2020.
At the newbuilding contract signing ceremony, ASL executive director Yang Xiangdong said the company is expanding its fleet in line with business growth. Shanghai-based ASL is owned by Yang, a Chinese container shipping veteran, along with logistics executives Kan Jen-yung and Xu Yan.
In January, ASL launched a service connecting the growing southern Chinese port of Nansha with Vietnam.
ASL now operates five chartered ships, but may subsequently finance the newbuildings through a sale-and-leaseback arrangement with CSSC (HK) Shipping, the leasing unit of Huangpu Wenchong’s parent group, China State Shipbuilding Corporation. CSSC (HK) Shipping chairman Zhong Jian was also present at the signing ceremony.
Huangpu Wenchong added that the energy-efficient design of the vessel would reduce fuel consumption by 8%.
The shipyard’s deputy general manager, Li Xi, said, “The Bangkokmax design not only addresses the transportation characteristics of Bangkok Port in Southeast Asia and the Southeast Asia region, but also takes into account port requirements in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.”
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
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