Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has today launched Hatsu Smart, the third in a series of ten 7024 TEU S-type container vessels that it is building for the Evergreen Group. She was named by Evergreen Group Chairman, Dr Y F Chang while Mrs Diana Seymour, the wife of Mr Julian Seymour, Director of New Star Asset Management, cut the ceremonial rope sending the ship down the slipway and into the water for the first time.

The Evergreen Group will take delivery of 18 post-Panamax containerships over the period 2005 to 2008, ten S-types and eight 8000 TEU C-types, allowing the Group companies to upgrade existing services and phase out older vessels.

Hatsu Smart is due to be delivered to the Evergreen Group company Hatsu Marine Ltd in March 2006 and will commence her maiden voyage to Europe shortly thereafter. Hatsu Marine currently owns eight ships, all of which fly the UK flag. The largest is Hatsu Shine, delivered at the end of September; five are 6332 TEU E-class vessels that operate between the Far East and the West Coast of North America while the other two are 1618 TEU P-class vessels currently deployed in regional Asian services within the Evergreen Group. The second S-class vessel, Hatsu Sigma, is due for delivery to Hatsu in mid November.

Hatsu Marine was established in London on 4 January, 2002. Through slot-sharing and joint service agreements with other carriers including Evergreen and Lloyd Triestino, it now offers its customers a network of services embracing Asia, North America and Europe. With the expansion of its fleet over the next few years, it will be adding to the number of services offered and expanding its capacity on existing services.

 Introducing Evergreen's Special S-type Series of Green Ships