APL on Friday welcomed the latest addition to its global fleet with the naming of a 9,200-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containership at the Port of Los Angeles.
The APL Savannah is the fifth in a series of twelve 9,200-TEU vessels to be delivered to APL, the container shipping arm of Singapore-based shipping and logistics company Neptune Orient Lines (NOL). She is also the first containership to be named and christened at the Port of Los Angeles.
“Today, we celebrate our long history of more than 160 years in the US, and our commitment to and investment in the Trans-Pacific trade,” said Ng Yat Chung, Group President and CEO of NOL . “We are upsizing and upgrading our ships calling here, and remain firmly committed to provide our customers a competitive product with comprehensive service coverage and leading customer service.“
APL Savannah and her sister ships are the largest in the APL fleet to ply the Trans-Pacific trade between Asia and the U.S. on the South Asia Express (SAX) service, rotating ports in San Pedro, Busan, Kaohsiung, Chiwan, Yantian and Singapore
Jeannie Lavers, Director of International Transportation for Kohl’s Department Stores, served as Godmother for the APL Savannah and broke a ceremonial champagne bottle over the ship hull. The ceremony was witnessed by Eric Garcetti, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles.
APL said the new 9,200-TEU series of vessels is designed for greater operational efficiency and more environmentally-sustainable operations. For example, an optimised hull form reduces hull resistance and results in less fuel consumed for propulsion.
Its fuel efficiency, measured by the Energy Efficiency Design Index, is certified to be 30.54% better than guidelines set by the International Maritime Organisation. By consuming less fuel, the ships will also emit less exhaust.
“APL has taken active steps to invest in green technology on our new ships to minimise our carbon footprint and promote sustainable global trade,” said Kenneth Glenn, President of APL . “In addition to several environmentally-friendly innovations introduced onboard, we are happy to confirm that the APL Savannah and her sister ships calling at the port are ready for cold-ironing, ahead of the implementation deadline.“
The state of California has mandated cold-ironing for container ships by 2014. At that time, half of a carrier’s fleet must rely on shore power when berthed in California ports. APL was the first carrier to shut down, or, “cold-iron,” a vessel’s engines to eliminate exhaust emissions in Oakland in mid-2011.
APL has received several sustainability accolades for its environmental stewardship. In 2013, for the second consecutive year, APL won the annual San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) Air Quality Award jointly presented by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The award lauded APL’s innovation and commitment to reduce the environmental impact of shipping.
APL was also conferred the 2012 Osprey Award, the US Coast Guard’s highest award for excellence in environmental protection. It recognised the company’s outstanding accomplishments that extend far beyond compliance with industrial and regulatory standards.
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APL, October 7, 2013