A.P. Moller-Maersk has named the first vessel 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 fourteenth dual-fuel newbuild entering the Maersk fleet, and it will be followed by an additional five sister vessels in this 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. Fleet renewal is essential for maintaining our competitive edge in ocean shipping, and it serves as a cornerstone of our commitment to decarbonisation,’ says Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering & Newbuilding at Maersk.
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.
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Largest dual-fuel ship in Maersk fleet
The vessel’s design closely resembles that of the previous Ane Maersk class, from which Maersk has received a total of twelve 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.
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.’
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All six vessels to join fleet this year
All six vessels in the series are being built by HHI with delivery in 2025. They will sail under the Danish flag.
Picture by Maersk.
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