Maersk Line orders 10 "Triple-E" mega-ships

2/21/2011

Maersk Line has signed a contract for 10 of the world's largest, most efficient container vessels with an option to buy another 20. The vessels will have a capacity of 18,000 TEU and will be delivered from Korea's DSME shipyard from 2013 to 2015.

The new, giant container vessels will be known as Triple-E, based on the three main purposes for their creation:

• Economy of scale
• Energy efficiency
• Environmentally improved

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. Its 18,000 twenty-foot container capacity is a massive 16 % larger (2,500 TEU) than Emma Mærsk.

At a cost of USD 190 million per vessel — and therefore a contract value of USD 5.7 billion should the option for a further 20 be exercised — Maersk Line is buying the ships to position itself to profit from the 5–8 % growth in trade from Asia to Europe that the company expects, and to maintain its industry leading market share in the trade.

A new benchmark

The new vessels will not just set a new benchmark for size; in addition, they will ensure Maersk Line reaches its goals at the lowest possible cost, while producing the lowest possible amount of CO2 emissions — an astonishing 50 % less CO2 per container moved than the industry average on the Asia–Europe trade.

"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," says Maersk Line CEO Eivind Kolding.

"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," explains Eivind Kolding.

For more on the Triple-E's innovative design, energy efficiency and other information — including photos, videos, interactive graphics and other materials — visit the official campaign site: www.maerskline.com/triple-e

The most efficient container vessel

Using the Clean Cargo Working Group's internationally recognised methodology of grams of C02 emitted per container moved one kilometre, the Triple-E is the most efficient container vessel ever made. Key statistics on CO2 and fuel are:

• 20 % less CO2 per container moved than Emma Mærsk, the most efficient container vessel in operation today.
• 50 % less CO2 per container moved than the industry average on the Asia–Europe trade lane.
• 35 % less fuel consumed per container than the 13,100 TEU vessels being delivered to other container shipping lines in the next few years.

A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S, press release