MacGregor, a brand of Finland-based Cargotec, has received a $77m order from South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to optimise cargo handling systems of five A-14-series and five A-18-series container vessels.
The 14,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) and 18,000 TEU ships are being built for the United Arab Shipping (UASC) and are scheduled for delivery between 2014 and 2015.
The shipyard holds options for an additional five A-14-vessels and one A-18-vessel.
The new container ship will be fitted with MacGregor cargo handling solutions such as hatch covers, a lashing system and product software ‘Lashmate’ that are designed to maximise cargo carrying capability and operational efficiency.
MacGregor Dry Cargo sales director Jari Nieminen said a five-year extended MacGregor Onboard Care (MOC) agreement and a five-year functional guarantee are included in the contract.
"Over this timeframe, to verify the benefits of this optimised solution and to maximise the utilisation of the system’s potential, we will conduct cargo system performance analysis and support UASC through a training programme, maintenance and spare parts services and advanced logistics for loose lashings," Nieminen added.
"This level of support is developed to allow UASC to focus on its key business."
MacGregor customer solutions director Ari Viitanen said, "For these ships, the cargo system has been designed as an integrated element, and as a result, we have been able to maximise the number of payload TEUs onboard, which increases profitability and reduces environmental impact by minimising emissions per TEU carried."
