Berlin Maersk is the first of six new vessels in its class and will be part of Maersk’s AE3 service connecting Eastern Asia with Northern Europe
AP Moller-Maersk has named the first ship in a series of 17,480 TEU vessels equipped with dual-fuel methanol propulsion.
The naming event took place on 18 June at Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) yard in Ulsan, South Korea.
The vessel, Berlin Maersk, is the 14th dual-fuel newbuild entering the Maersk fleet, and will be followed by an additional five sister vessels in the new class of container ships.
”With the launch of the Berlin Maersk class, we continue to build an ocean toolkit adaptable to multiple fuel pathways,” said Anda Cristescu, head of chartering and newbuilding at Maersk.
”Fleet renewal is essential for maintaining our competitive edge in ocean shipping, and it serves as a cornerstone of our commitment to decarbonisation.”
On 7 July, Berlin Maersk will make its first port call in Shanghai, where it will enter service on Maersk’s AE3 service connecting Eastern Asia with Northern Europe.
The shipping group noted that the vessel’s design closely resembles that of the previous Ane Mærsk class, from which Maersk has received a total of 12 dual-fuel vessels, all built by HHI.
The only significant difference is the wider beam, which allows Berlin Maersk to carry more containers. The increased capacity also makes it the largest dual-fuel ship to date to join the Maersk fleet.
”We are happy that we now begin taking delivery of the Berlin Maersk series,” said Ole Graa Jakobsen, head of fleet technology at Maersk.
”Since our decision to order the first dual-fuel methanol vessel in 2021, we have come a long way with lots of other carriers investing in this propulsion technology as well.
”Our new Berlin Maersk class builds on the foundation that we first laid with Laura Maersk and later the Ane Maersk class,” he added.
”The Berlin Maersk class showcases our ongoing efforts in innovation and optimisation, setting a new industry efficiency benchmark.”
All six vessels in the series are being built by HHI with delivery in 2025, and will sail under the Danish flag.
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