China-based Cosco Shipping Lines has awarded a contract to Shell Marine for the supply of marine lubricants and technical services for seven new-generation ultra large container carriers (ULCCs).

The development of the vessels is intended to form part of a newbuild programme comprising a total of ten ULCC units, which are to be owned by Cosco Shipping.

The ships were initially ordered in 2015 and are expected to enter service from 2018-2019.

"This major contract for ships that play a leading role in delivering Chinese exports on the just-in-time basis required at this scale demonstrates owner preferences for proven lubricant performance."

They will feature roughly 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of capacity each.

Shell Marine executive director Jan Toschka said: “The quality of marine lubricants is critical for engine reliability.

“The application of the right technical services enables shipowners and operators to optimise their vessels’ total cost of ownership.

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“Securing this major contract for ships that play a leading role in delivering Chinese exports on the just-in-time basis required at this scale demonstrates owner preferences for proven lubricant performance, supported by a global logistics network and comprehensive technical services.”

Personnel from Shell’s Shanghai-based Technical Maritime Hubs are set to provide various support services to Cosco Shipping as part of the initiative.

Shell Marine has provided marine lubricants and services for more than 140 Cosco Shipping carriers since 2004.

Cosco Shipping is currently in the process of acquiring containership operating company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), which previously awarded a contract to Shell Marine to provide integrated marine solutions for a unit 21,413TEU vessel earlier this year.

The vessel is expected to be the world’s largest containership upon completion.