Americas News
Latest Fuel Saving APL Vessel is "Cold Ironing" Ready
APL, the container shipping division of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), says it has now received five out of a series of 12 vessels that promise energy efficiency levels 31 percent above International Maritime Organisation (IMO) guidelines.
The 9,200 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) vessels have a number of fuel-saving features including optimised hull forms to reduce resistance.
The newest ship, APL Savannah, was named in a ceremony Friday at the Port of Los Angeles, and was said to be "cold-ironing" ready.
"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."
The series is operating on routes between Asia and the U.S.
"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."
A California rule calls for container ships to use shore power and shut their engines down while at port in the state by 2014.
APL has called reducing bunker costs "absolutely critical" to its success.
