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.