Maersk Line orders seven ice-class boxships at Cosco Shipyard

2015-03-27

Maersk Line says it had ordered seven 3,600 teu container ships from Cosco Shipyard Zhoushan in China for an undisclosed price for its European shortsea shipping arm.

The vessels are due to be delivered between April and November 2017, and could be joined by two further units if options are exercised within eight months.

The order is the first by Maersk Line since 2011, and the initial step of the Danish giant's $15bn investment programme which it announced at the end of last year. The company intends to place further orders during the course of this year.

The 200 m long ships will have a width of 35.2 m, and a 10 m draft. ECA requirements will be met by using MGO to power the vessels.

“I am very happy to announce this new order and the first in our investment programme. Our strategy is to grow with the market and to do so we need new vessels from 2017,” says Søren Toft, Maersk Line coo. “We expect to place additional orders during 2015.”

The ships will be deployed with Seago Line, Maerk's shortsea shipping line for Europe and the Mediterranean, and will be capable of operating in the sea ice of the North Sea and Baltic.

The order marks a number of first for both the line and the yard, as it is Maersk's first newbuilding order at Cosco as well as the first time Cosco will build container ships. “I am very confident that Cosco Shipyard, with their solid shipbuilding experience and a good track record will deliver high quality and fuel efficient vessels,” said Toft.

Source from : Seatrade Global

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