On August 15, the latest 16,828 TEU container ship of Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), the “OOCL Kapok,” was officially named at Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. The China Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association (CPI) underwrote the ship’s protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance, and its entry marked CPI’s P&I insurance entered tonnage surpassing the 100 million milestone.
Former Minister of Transport Huang Zhendong; former Vice Minister of Transport and Chairman of the China Institute of Navigation He Jianzhong; Chairman of CPI Xu Lirong; Deputy General Manager of China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited Lin Ji; CPI Director, Executive Director and General Manager of COSCO SHIPPING Holdings, Chairman of COSCO SHIPPING Lines, and Chairman and CEO of OOCL Tao Weidong; CPI Director and OOCL Chief Operating Officer Ye Jianping; and CPI General Manager Song Chunfeng attended the event. Leaders from the Water Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, leaders from the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport, CPI directors, representatives from member companies and partners, special guests, and CPI management staff, totaling approximately 200 people, also participated in the event.
The attendees extended warm congratulations and high praise for CPI’s milestone achievement of surpassing 100 million tons in P&I insurance entered tonnage. They unanimously expressed their full support for the association’s business development and pledged to deepen exchanges and cooperation across broader fields and at deeper levels to jointly address global market opportunities and challenges.
In his speech, Xu Lirong expressed gratitude and respect to the competent authorities, member shipowners, partners, and all CPI staff. He noted that CPI’s P&I insurance entered tonnage exceeding 100 million marks a solid step forward in advancing the mission of “enhancing shipping insurance underwriting capacity and global service levels.” It further consolidates CPI’s position as the largest P&I club in Asia and elevates its international competitiveness and influence. It also signifies CPI’s stronger confidence and willingness to engage in higher-level exchanges and cooperation to support the high-quality and sustainable development of the shipping industry.
It is reported that the “OOCL Kapok” is one of the series of 10 new 16,000 TEU container ships ordered by OOCL from Dalian COSCO KHI and Nantong COSCO KHI. This ship type was independently developed, designed, and built by Nantong and Dalian COSCO KHI, representing a new generation of intelligent, environmentally friendly, and safe container ships. The new ship is 366.99 meters long, 51.0 meters wide, and 30.2 meters deep, with a design draft of 14.5 meters and a container capacity of 16,828 TEUs. It is one of the largest ships capable of passing through the new locks of the Panama Canal, adding flexibility to vessel deployment.
As a new generation of Neo-Panamax cargo ships, this type not only complies with the latest environmental regulations but also sets new standards in eco-friendly design, energy efficiency, digital intelligence, operational safety, and onboard comfort by integrating the latest technological innovations and smart solutions. The ship adopts a twin-island layout and is powered by WinGD’s new green and energy-efficient main engine.
Energy efficiency and environmental protection are highlights of the ship. The large-capacity, high-efficiency permanent magnet shaft generator installed onboard can meet the ship’s power demand while generating additional thrust when electricity is surplus, effectively reducing fuel consumption. The application of central air conditioning heat recovery and a fresh air system further reduces living energy consumption. The ship’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is more than 50% below the baseline, far exceeding the latest International Maritime Organization (IMO) Phase III requirements, showcasing its outstanding achievements in green shipping.
CPI’s P&I insurance entered tonnage has grown from 470,000 at its founding in 1984 to the current 100 million, with an average annual growth rate of 14%. Particularly since 2016, the cumulative growth of P&I insurance entered tonnage has reached 161%. Looking ahead, CPI will persistently uphold the essence of mutual assistance, relentlessly strengthen and optimize its scale, continuously enhance global services, and place greater emphasis on linking the main entities and high-end elements of the shipping and shipping services industry chain. It will more proactively expand its international business layout, more keenly seize opportunities for industry transformation and upgrading, and stride confidently toward the grand goal of building a world-class P&I club.
