China Shipping Container Lines was the world’s eighth largest container shipping company, with a fleet that comprises of 148 vessels with a total operating capacity of more than 610,000 TEUs. Established in Shanghai in 1997, the shipping line is present in more than 100 countries around the world. With a new company formed by the integration of China Shipping and COSCO; now known as China COSCO Shipping, aimed to expand her fleet size to more than 2 million TEU’s by 2018, which would make it the world’s third largest container carrier in terms of vessel capacity.
Back to 2008 China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL) set up a joint Asia Mediterranean service that operated with eight panamax ships averaging around 6,000 TEU’s and sailing on a weekly basis with more movements around the clock including at Malta Freeport.
On a particular day there was exchanging of berth for two 280 metre mother ships both sisters. They were the 2003 built XIN PU DONG –
And the 2004 built XIN CHI WAN –
Both vessels were built in China by Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group at Shanghai.
CSCL now COSCO is represented in Malta by Medsea Shipping Agency – http://www.medsea.com.mt
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Tuesday 21st April, 2020