HONG KONG's Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has announced the christening of two 13,208-TEU ships at a ceremony held at the Geoje Island Shipyard in South Korea, marking the first time OOCL has taken delivery this size.

The OOCL Brussels and the NYK Helios are the largest vessels that Samsung has built for OOCL to date. The two containerships of this size are part of a 10-ship order from the Samsung yards.

Said OOCL chief executive Andy Tung: "I am very pleased to acknowledge our partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries as they play an instrumental role in strengthening OOCL's fleet."

The new vessels are built and equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies with advanced green features "to meet current and future environmental requirements", he said.

The vessels exceed the internationally recognised standard by achieving an improved energy efficiency design Index (EEDI) level from the baseline that will be required in 2025 by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).