Mitsubishi To Convert Sea-Land Containerships

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Group of Japan has received a contract from Sea-Land to undertake major conversions of four of its T3- class containerships at a total cost of about $50 million.

Beginning next January, the ships will be withdrawn in succession from Sea-Land's recently up-rated Rotterdam-Middle East service, but will be returned to that trade once their conversions are completed.

Basically, of the old ships only the mid-bodies will be saved, refurbished and equipped with modern, economical Sulzer diesel engines.

Mitsubishi will join these mid-bodies to newly constructed bow and stern sections.

On completion, the ships should have a length of 662 feet, a speed of 18.5 knots, and a capacity of 593 of Sea-Land's 35- and 40-foot containers. In a return to original containership practice, they will also be equipped with two container cranes.

"This self-sustaining capability is of particular benefit when calling at the congested ports of the Mideast," a Sea-Land statement said.

The ships will be reconstructed to meet U.S. standards and requirements, will fly the U.S. flag and be manned by American crews.

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