The Chinese Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard has handed over to the Finish shipping line Containerships the first in a series of four 1,400 TEU-big carriers powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Containerships Nord's sister ships will join her during the first half of 2019. They'll be deployed across the company's network, serving Finland's trade with the rest of the Baltic as well as sailing further down to northern Europe.

Containerships decided to invest in LNG-fuelled vessels back in 2013, "By taking this decision, we accepted the challenge of building with a new technology. It has been a rewarding project full of learning opportunities," Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, CEO, Containerships, said in this regard.

He added, "This project has required high levels of expertise and constant development. Success requires excellent co-operation between the involved parties. Needless to describe how proud and enthusiastic we are of having received the first vessel."

Containership became lately part of CMA CGM, currently the world's fourth biggest container shipping company in terms of TEU carrying capacity. "CMA CGM is the first deep sea shipping line that has made public its commitment to LNG. There is a great synergy in our environmentally-friendly visions, which naturally gives us even more courage to continue on the chosen path," Laaksonen stated.

Photo: Containerships