Maersk ship

Shipping giant Maersk Line has ordered seven new 3,600 TEU vessels through Cosco Shipyard in China, to be assigned to the group's Seago line when they eventually come into rotation.

The deal, which also includes the option for a further two vessels, is part of Maersk Line's recently announced US$15bn investment programme.

The vessels will be delivered between April and November 2017.

'I am very happy to announce this new order and the first in our investment programme,' noted Maersk Line COO Søren Toft. 'Our strategy is to grow with the market and to do so we need new vessels from 2017.'