#PostPanamaxShips – Container shipping giant, Hapag Lloyd prepares for Panama Canal's new locks opening next year with an order for five 10,500 TEU container ships, reports LloydsLoadingList.com

Not all major lines are seeking to boost competitiveness by buying the largest vessels available in a bid to reduce operating costs.

Hapag-Lloyd has instead ordered five new container ships of just 10,500 TEU capacity which it plans to deploy on South American trades and through the Panama Canal when its new locks increase the size of ships that can transit.

"When the expanded Panama Canal opens next year, Hapag-Lloyd will therefore have the optimal fleet for this trade," said the German line in a statement. "The expansion of the Panama Canal is one of the biggest civil engineering projects in the world, and will allow the passage of large vessels of up to 14,000 TEU from what is known as the post-Panamax class."

The new ships will feature 2,100 reefer plugs aimed at perishable trades and are due for delivery in 2016/2017 from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in South Korea.