[060415.EN.SEA] Utah Officials Attend Shanghai Naming Ceremony of 8,888-TEU OOCL Utah

HONG Kong's Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has named its latest containership, the 8,888-TEU OOCL Utah at a ceremony in Shanghai attended by representatives from the US State of Utah.

The new vessel, built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Company in China, is the newest addition to OOCL's fleet trading across the Pacific through its South China 2 service.

The new ship will join OOCL's transpacific SC2 (South China 2) service on the rotation of Shenzhen-Da Chan Bay, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Yantian, Kaohsiung, Long Beach, Kaohsiung, Xiamen, Hong Kong and back to Shenzhen's Da Chan Bay.

The ceremony was attended by two Uthans, Nancy Hale, as the company's sponsor, and her husband Val Hale, executive director of Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, a company statement said.

"China and the United States have a very important trading relationship," said OOCL chief executive Andy Tung. "For over 40 years, OOCL have been involved in trade and commerce between the two markets, witnessing how the countries grew and benefited from the success of global transportation, the life blood of world trade," he said.

"A few years ago, we looked into Utah's infrastructure and business community and saw opportunities for us to grow and strengthen our services by setting up the office in Salt Lake City," said Mr Tung.

Said Utah's Mr Hale: "We are pleased that OOCL agrees that we are a good match. OOCL's Integrated Management and Service Centre in Utah will certainly benefit, just as we benefit from the company's presence."

Source : HKSG.