More Big

ZIM is adding larger ships to its Zim Container Service Pacific rotation as former post Panamax ships become available for world wide trading. Previously confined to the Pacific and Suez routes, they are now able to transit the enlarged Panama Canal and can take up different routes.

The bow of Hyundai Mercury looms over the south end pier 42  on a dead calm morning.

Today's arrival, Hyundai Mercury although no longer a giant is still an impressive 94,511 grt, 95,811 dwt with a capacity of 8562 TEU. Owned by Zodiac Marine of the UK it carries the name and markings of Hyundai Merchant Marine, the troubled South Korean operator. The ship was built in 2009 by - no surprise, Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea.

Hyundai Merchant Marine reports a loss of about $1bn in 2017, but is on the verge of ordering 12 new mega ships. Since the collapse of Hanjin, Hyundai has taken up much of the failed line's business, but is still only a small player on the world market (It is tenth largest). It now also has arrangements with ZIM and the 2M alliance (Maersk and MSC) for its ships to serve the US east coast.

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Hyundai Sunday

ZIM continues to bring in bigger ships. Today's first time arrival was the Hyundai Mercury, a ship owned by the nebulous Arzel Shipping Inc, and managed by Eastern Pacific Shipping (UK) Ltd. The latter is the London branch of a Singapore company that manages more than one hundred ships of all types. This particular ship, not surprisingly built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, Ulsan in 2009, has a capacity of 8562 TEU and measures 94,511 grt, 9581 dwt.

Hyundai Mercury just clear of Halterm, heads for sea.

The crane shadow neatly frames the pilot door let into the side of the ship.

The ship serves the ZIM Container Service Pacific route, and has worked its way up the astern seaboard from Savannah (Sept 2), Charleston, Norfolk and New York. It has now sailed for Kingston, Jamaica, then on through the Panama Canal to China and Korea before returning to the Canal, Kingston and Savannah by mid-November to start the rotation all over again.

Leaving its last east coast port and heading for the hub port of Kingston, Jamaica, the ship is fairly lightly loaded, since most cargo is likely imports from China and Korea.

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