Maersk Introduces the Berlin Mærsk Vessel in a New Series of Container Ships
Copenhagen, Denmark – A. P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has officially named the first vessel in a new series of 17 480 TEU ships that feature dual-fuel methanol propulsion. The naming ceremony took place on June 18 at Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.
The vessel, named Berlin Maersk, is the 14th dual-fuel newbuild to join the Maersk fleet, with five additional sister ships planned in this new class of container vessels.
Source: maersk.com
Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering & Newbuilding at Maersk, stated:
“With the launch of the Berlin Maersk class, we continue to build an ocean toolkit adaptable to multiple fuel pathways. Fleet renewal is essential for maintaining our competitive edge in ocean shipping, and it serves as a cornerstone of our commitment to decarbonisation.”
Berlin Maersk is set to make its first port call in Shanghai on July 7, where it will begin operations on Maersk’s AE3 service, connecting Eastern Asia with Northern Europe.
The design of the vessel closely resembles that of the previous Ane Maersk class, from which Maersk has received a total of 12 dual-fuel vessels, all constructed by HHI. The main difference is the wider beam, allowing Berlin Maersk to carry more containers, making it the largest dual-fuel ship to date in the Maersk fleet.
Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology at Maersk, expressed, “We are happy that we now begin taking delivery of the Berlin Maersk series. Since our decision to order the first dual-fuel methanol vessel in 2021, we have come a long way, with many other carriers also investing in this propulsion technology. Our new Berlin Maersk class builds on the foundation laid with Laura Maersk and later the Ane Maersk class. The Berlin Maersk class showcases our ongoing efforts in innovation and optimisation, setting a new industry efficiency benchmark.”
All six vessels in this series are being built by HHI and are scheduled for delivery in 2025. They will operate under the Danish flag.
