October 30 - Atlantic Container Line (ACL) has taken delivery of its con-ro vessel Atlantic Star - the first of five new vessels in its G4 fleet.
Atlantic Star will sail from China on October 31, 2015 and will join the company's transatlantic service in December. The vessel will be christened in Liverpool, UK. The remaining four G4 vessels will be delivered during the first half of 2016
Atlantic Star is the largest con-ro vessel ever built, claims ACL. The ships will replace ACL's existing fleet of G3 ships currently operating on its transatlantic service. The G4s are larger, greener and more efficient than their predecessors. The container-carrying capacity of the G4 is more than doubled at 3,800 teu, plus a car capacity of over 1300 vehicles.
There is 28,900 sq m of space allocated for ro-ro cargoes; the vessel's ro-ro ramps are wider and shallower, while the ro-ro decks now measure 7.4 m high, enabling easier loading and discharge of oversized cargo.
Atlantic Star will be registered in the UK. ACL's current schedule and port rotation will be maintained until all five G4 vessels are in service. During the second quarter of 2016 ACL will announce a new G4 schedule.
