CHINESE shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding hosted the delivery ceremony for the 24,116 TEU ultra-large container ship, MSC Claude Girardet commissioned by China Ship Leasing and Swiss container shipping major Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

This is the fourth 24,000TEU giant to be delivered by Hudong-Zhonghua to MSC, according to Rotterdam's Offshore Energy.

The ultra-large container vessel, designed in-house with complete intellectual property rights, is registered under the DNV classification society.

It boasts 399.99 metres in length - over 60 metres longer than the world's largest aircraft carrier. With a width of 61.5 metres, its deck area is equivalent to approximately four standard football fields. The vessel's depth reaches 33.2 metres.

The maximum loading capacity of the ship is 24,346 TEU, and it has the ability to load up to 25 rows of containers equivalent to the height of 22 floors.

Hudong-Zhonghua said the ship incorporates numerous solutions and technologies that make the ship environmentally friendly, highly energy and fuel efficient.

Some of its features include hull air lubrication that reduces frictional resistance between the water and the hull surface, reducing fuel consumption and associated emissions.

In addition to air lubrication, the vessel employs numerous energy-saving features including a bulbous bow, eco main engine, large-diameter propellers, and energy-saving ducts. It is also fitted with a scrubber.