SWIRE Shipping has announced the deployment of MV Chefoo into its fleet, the second such 2400TEU geared vessel to join its services.

According to Swire, the ship will be deployed on Swire Shipping’s South East Asia service, connecting South East Asia to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Swire has hailed the ships’ “high cargo capacity and cargo carrying flexibility”, as well as their fuel-efficiency.

“Our purpose as a company is to enrich lives by connecting our customers with the communities in the Pacific,” said Swire Shipping general manager Jeremy Sutton.

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“We recognise that our key markets rely on shipping services to open vital supply chains and enable growth,” he said.

“Our continued investments in our business and the deployment of MV Chefoo further strengthens our commitment to facilitating growth and trade in the Pacific region.”

Mr Sutton said communities in the Pacific relied heavily upon seaborne trade to supply essential goods.

“Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to look to the future as we phase in our newbuild vessels, improve our network coverage and launch new digital products,” he said.

MV Chefoo can carry up to 2400TEU.

It is equipped with three 45tonne cranes, 75tonne SWL stoppers, lashing eyes and strengthened tank tops to 20tonnes.

MV Chefoo is the second of four C-Class vessels built by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company. Its sister vessel, MV Changsha, entered service in March 2020 and is also deployed on Swire’s South East Asia to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands service.