THE 8,888-TEU OOCL Utah, built by China's, the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Company, is newest ship in OOCL fleet to join the transpacific South China 2 service. 

Hong Kong's Orient Oversea Container Liner (OCCL) was pleased that Shanghai was the location for the christening ceremony. "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 the container transportation business facilitating trade and commerce between the two markets, witnessing how the countries grew and benefited from the success of global transportation, which is the life blood of world trade," he said.

In officiating at the naming of the new vessel after the American State of Utah, OOCL was deeply honoured with the presence of two important Utahns, Nancy Hale, as our sponsor, and her husband, Val Hale, executive director of Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development.

After the sponsor's blessing, Mr Hale said: "Utah's skilled workforce, business friendly environment and quality of life have attracted many companies from all over the world, and we are pleased that OOCL agrees that we are a good match."