On 28 September 2004, "COSCO Shenzhen", one of the world's largest container vessels, was christened at YICT. After loading and unloading 1,931 containers at Yantian, the vessel was officially deployed on the SEA service from Southeast Asia to west America.
"COSCO Shenzhen" is 300 metres long and 42.8 metres wide with a designed draught of 13 metres and a shipping capacity of 93,000 tons (8,000 TEU maximum) and 500 reefer containers. The designed speed is 25.2 knots. It takes only 11 days to ship cargo from Yantian to Long Beach thanks to its sophisticated systems and rapid sailing speed.
Seeing promising economy in South China and potential market in the shipping industry, the China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO) christened its most advanced container vessel with Shenzhen and held the ceremony at Yantian. This also shows a long-term good partnership between COSCO and YICT. To date, COSCO has opened four international shipping services directed to America, Europe and the Mediterranean, providing customers with more shipping options and convenience.
It is reported that COSCO will deploy three more 8,000 TEU container vessels of the same kind in succession before the end of 2004 in addition to "COSCO Long Beach" and "COSCO Shenzhen" in service.
About 500 guests including officials of Shenzhen Municipal Government, senior management of COSCO and celebrities from the port, shipping, industrial and commercial industries were present at the christening ceremony.