VESSEL REVIEW | Wan Hai 377 – New medium- to long-haul boxship boasts reduced environmental impact

Japan Marine United (JMU) has delivered a new container vessel to Taiwanese shipping company Wan Hai Lines for operation by its Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) subsidiary.

Wan Hai 377 belongs to a series of feeder containerships each with a total capacity of 3,055 TEUs, with 12 rows and six tiers in the cargo hold and 14 rows and seven tiers on the upper deck.

Significant capacity coupled with enhanced sailing performance

The newbuild has an LOA of 203.5 metres (667.7 feet), a moulded beam of 34.8 metres (114 feet), a draught of 11.5 metres (37.7 feet), a depth of 16.6 metres (54.5 feet), a gross tonnage of 30,676, a deadweight of 37,160, and a crew of 25.

The vessel is optimally designed for medium- to long-distance routes since the volume of seaborne trade in and to/from Asia is increasing. JMU’s engineering has achieved both large loading capacity to satisfy such increasing demand as well as navigation performance that enables voyages on time.

The vessel has significantly improved environmental and operational performance compared with conventional vessels. It also achieves high propulsion efficiency through its advanced lower resistance hull form and JMU’s original energy saving devices such as low-viscosity resistance fins.

MAN-B&W’s 7S70ME C10.5 electronically controlled diesel engine and an inverter-controlled cooling seawater pump are also installed on the vessel to help reduce fuel oil consumption. The engine drives a propeller via shaftline to deliver a maximum speed of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 21.5 knots, allowing the vessel to conduct faster transits.

Promising greater safety and reduced environmental impact

The onboard systems draw power from two 6EY22ALW and two 8EY26 generators supplied by Yanmar. Additional manoeuvring capability is provided by a Kawasaki KT-130B3 tunnel thruster.

The vessel boasts an integrated navigation system and a fully enclosed navigation bridge, which improves safety and convenience during voyages and berthing/unberthing operations. In addition, a CCTV camera system is installed for navigation assistance and engine room monitoring to further improve the safety of the vessel and its crew.

Wan Hai 377 complies with Singapore flag requirements and DNV class rules. The vessel also satisfies a range of environmental regulations, thanks to the installation of a ballast water treatment system.