Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Maersk will have containership of 18,000 TEUs

(Source: Cargosystems)

After many months speculation, Maersk Line has signed a contract for 10 of the world’s largest container ships, with an option to buy another 20.

The Danish shipping line said the 18,000teu capacity ships, built by Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), will be the most efficient container vessels.

At 400 metres long, 59 metres wide and 73 metres tall, the Triple-E will be the largest vessel of any type known to be in operation.

However, the dimensions of the new ships will mean that many major container ports will be able to accommodate them without major adjustments to existing infrastructure.

Many key terminals in Europe, Asia and the Americas already have sufficient a draught and there has been an increase in sales of high capacity STS gantry cranes with longer waterside outreach in recent years.

With each ship costing US$190 million, the confirmed order is worth $1.9bn. If the options for a further 20 ships are exercised, the value of the deal would be $5.7bn, making it the largest container ship contract ever.

Maersk said that it has today paid a 10% down payment on the 10-ship order and will pay four 10% down payments in all, with a final payment of 60%. The shipping line confirmed that financing had been arranged, but it did not explain details of the finance arrangements.

With deliveries from DSME shipyard scheduled from 2013 to 2015, the giant container vessels will be known as Triple-E.

Maersk Line said that the ships were based on “economy of scale, energy efficiency” and being “environmentally improved” – hence "Triple-E".

With capacity to carry 18,000teu, the Triple-E will be 16 % larger (2,500teu) than the Emma Maersk.

Maersk Line explained that it is buying the ships to position itself to profit from an anticipated 5-8 % growth in the Asia-Europe trade through to 2015, and to maintain its leading market share in the trade.

As well as setting a new benchmark for size, Maersk said the new ships will help it achieve its goals at the lowest possible cost, while producing the lowest possible amount of CO2 emissions.

The vessels promise an impressive 50% less CO2 per container moved than the industry average on the Asia–Europe trade and 20% less than the Emma Maersk. Maersk also claimed that the Triple-E would consume 35% less fuel per container than the 13,100teu vessels being delivered to other container shipping lines in the next few years.

“One of the biggest challenges we face in the world today is how to meet the growing needs of a growing population and while minimising the impact that is going to have on our planet,” said Eivind Kolding, Maersk Line CEO.

“International trade will continue to play a key role in the development of the global economy; but, for the health of the planet, we must continue to reduce our CO2 emissions.”

“It is not only a top priority for us, but also for our customers, who depend on us in their supply chain, and also for a growing number of consumers who base their purchasing decisions on this type of information,” he added.

(Source: Cargosystems)

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