In the past two weeks, the volume of cargo transported on East-West routes has increased due to the commissioning of several large container ships.

This week, CMA CGM received the 24,212 TEU vessel CMA CGM Pantheon from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. This is the second of ten Jacques Saade-class LNG-powered ships ordered in mid-2023. Each vessel is equipped with 1,600 sockets for refrigerated containers. According to Alphaliner, the CMA CGM Pantheon will operate on the FAL1 service of the French line (branded as NEU4 by other Ocean Alliance members) on the Asia-Europe route. This route features a mixed fleet of ships with capacities ranging from 21,000 to 24,000 TEU, as well as ten vessels of approximately 17,000 TEU each.

Also this week, Ocean Alliance member Evergreen received the 16,556 TEU vessel Ever Even from Samsung Heavy Industries. This is the sixth of sixteen dual-fuel (methanol) ships ordered from the South Korean shipyard in mid-2023. Ever Even will begin service on the NEU7 Asia-Europe alliance route, which Evergreen promotes as CES, replacing the 11,800 TEU Ever Fit. The line operates vessels with capacities of 20,000 TEU, as well as two ships of 14,000 and 15,000 TEU.

Last week, shipowner Danaos received the 8,258 TEU vessel Express Santorini from Yangzijiang. This is the first of seven ships ordered for long-term charter to Hapag-Lloyd. During the peak Asia-Europe shipping season, the vessel will operate on the AE1/NE2 Gemini Cooperation service, after which it will be transferred to the transatlantic TA2/AL3 route.

This week, the TMS group of George Economou received the 7,900 TEU vessel Agate, the first of four ships ordered from HJ Shipbuilding for long-term charter to Zim for irregular intra-Asia shipments. The Israeli carrier plans to deploy the vessel on its transpacific Central China Xpress (ZX2) service by the end of the month.

Last week, Imabari Shipbuilding delivered the 13,932 TEU vessel ONE Summit. This is the eleventh of fifteen sister ships ordered by Japanese company ONE, based in Singapore, for the Asia–US East Coast (EC3) line, which is operated in partnership with Premier Alliance members Yang Ming and HMM.

Taiwanese operator Wan Hai last week received the 8,710 TEU vessel Wan Hai 903 from Hyundai Samho. This is the third of four ships ordered from the South Korean shipyard in 2024. The vessel will operate on Wan Hai’s independent service along the Far East–Red Sea–Eastern Mediterranean route.