The Cosco Portugal was ordered in May 2008 at a cost price of US$166.8 million per vessel, but is a year late after deferred delivery following the financial crisis.
The Cosco Portugal is classed as a neo-overpanamax - being wider by one box for the new Panama locks-able to stow 20 containers rows across decks. It will join the CKYH Asia-Europe loop 3 (NE 3) to follow on from sister vessel Cosco Italy delivered in May from NACKS.
The order follows on from previous building by NACKS for the carrier of four 9,850-TEU vessels in 2008, the Cosco Oceania series, according to Shipping Gazette.