Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) introduced its newest 16,828 TEU container vessel, OOCL Iris, marking a significant milestone as the second of ten 16,000 TEU vessels ordered by OOCL and the first delivered by Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering (NACKS).
The vessel’s name, “Iris,” carries a dual significance, symbolizing both the flower and OOCL’s proprietary IT innovation, the Integrated Regional Information System. Launched in 1999, this groundbreaking system revolutionized the company’s operations by unifying global business processes, customer shipments, and financial data into a centralized platform. Over time, continuous technological advancements have ensured its pivotal role in overcoming operational challenges.
Meanwhile, OOCL Iris and its sister vessels showcase state-of-the-art maritime technology. Equipped with an intelligent integrated platform, these vessels optimize operational efficiency through sophisticated data collection, storage, and transmission. Their advanced energy efficiency system offers recommendations for speed and trim adjustments while monitoring real-time fuel, engine, generator, and boiler power usage to maximize performance. The ship has earned three “Smart Ship” notations along with the Enviro-friendly (ENVIRO) and Sustainable (SUSTAIN-1) notations from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), reinforcing OOCL’s dedication to sustainability and innovation.
Furthermore, the newbuild vessel will serve the Transpacific trade ECX1 route with the following port rotation: Hong Kong, Yantian, Xiamen, Shanghai, New York, Savannah, Charleston, Laem Chabang, Cai Mep, and back to Hong Kong, completing a 91-day round trip.
Weidong Tao, CEO of OOCL, stated: “This series of new vessels achieve world-class standards in intelligent and environmentally friendly design, enhancing OOCL’s operational efficiency and reducing carbon emissions to meet customer and societal expectations for green shipping. This not only optimizes OOCL’s fleet structure and upgrades its own fleet but also provides strong support for the sustainable and healthy development of global trade.”