Zim to spend $1.36 billion on 8 new mega container ships

The new ships will be delivered in 2012. The company did not disclose the name of the shipyard that will build the ships
 
Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. announced last week it would buy up to eight new mega container ships for US$170 million each, for a total of US$1.36 billion.
 
In a press release the company said that it would take an option to buy one more ship and should the option materialize the total order value could reach US$1.53 billion.
 
According to Zim's statement the eight ships will each have a container capacity of TEU 12,600 (twenty-foot equivalent unit).
 
The new ships will be delivered in 2012. The company did not disclose the name of the shipyard that will build the ships.
 
Zim said the purchase is part of its strategy to substantially expand its shipping capacity by increasing its fleet.
 
Last June, Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. bought two container ships of 2,450 TEU each, and will have an option to buy two more, which will be due for delivery in 2010-11.
 
It is understood that Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. is considering to contract with local as well as foreign companies affiliated with Ofer Brothers, the parent company of Israel Corp., as well as with third parties, for the possible sale of rights or long-term lease of the containerships.