As part of its continuing program of modernization aimed toward increasing present lifting capacity to meet the technological needs of the trade, Hellenic Lines has contracted for the conversion of four ships to fully cellularized container vessels. The vessels to be converted are four of the Pride Class, originally built in Finland in 1972. By replacing the midbody with a fully cellularized, 106-meter section with reefer capacity, the vessels will achieve 1,202-TEU container capacity, while maintaining a speed of up to 19 knots, and employing the most modern container stowage and handling devices.
Conversion will be handled by Cantieri Navali Riuniti, S.P.A. of Genoa, Italy, and will take place in either Palermo or at another of its three shipyards. All vessels will be delivered between February and August 1982. Future plans for deployment of three of the vessels are for operation in Hellenic Lines' U.K.-Continent/Arabian Gulf Service, and the fourth possibly for the U.S./Arabian Gulf Service.