Maersk names 14th dual-fuel methanol container vessel

A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has named Berlin Maersk, the first in a new series of 17,480 TEU dual-fuel methanol container vessels.

The vessel is the 14th dual-fuel newbuild to enter the Maersk fleet and features a wider beam than the earlier Ane Maersk class, allowing for greater container capacity. It is now reportedly the largest dual-fuel vessel operated by the company.

The naming ceremony took place on 18 June at Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in Ulsan, South Korea.

The Berlin Maersk is set to begin service on 7 July, calling first at Shanghai on Maersk’s AE3 route linking East Asia with Northern Europe.

Five additional ships in the class will follow, all built by HHI and scheduled for delivery by the end of 2025.

Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering & Newbuilding at Maersk, said: “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 and is central to our decarbonisation strategy.”

Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology at Maersk, added: “Our new Berlin Maersk class builds on the foundation laid by Laura Mærsk and the Ane Mærsk class, setting a new industry benchmark in efficiency and innovation.”

Last month, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd launched a new Transpacific service, TP9, under the Gemini Cooperation.