Hyundai Samho shipyard has received instructions for two orders of its 9,000-TEU wide-beam design, the Hyundai 9000 W from International Maritime Enterprises SAM with two options attached for delivery in May and June 2014 with no charters fixed.

The Hyundai 9000 W has seen a surge in orders with six for Greek shipowner Oceanbulk and US private equity company Oaktree Capital following a letter of intent with Hyundai Heavy Industries.

Schulte Group and XT Shipping has received six units of this class in the winter since ordering in February 2011 on the backing of a seven-year charter with MSC.

These vessels are rated at 8,762 TEU offering a length to breadth ratio of 5.9, which allows limits their length to 300 metres and their draft to 14.5 metres. This is of particular interests to those that serve ports with restrictions in Latin America and India.

The 9000 W has been categorised as Black Sea-max ships (or Bosporus-max) due to its dimensions fitting the transit restrictions on vessels entering one of the Turkish straits.

Maersk's Far East-Black sea service, jointly operated with CMA CGM which deploys 6,550-TEU ships of 299.97 metres, has a further seven wide beam units in the 8,000 TEU class on charter from CSAV. (Source: Shipping Gazette)