Maersk makes waves with massive container vessels

Triple-E, the largest container ship designed to carry 18,000 TEUs, is constructed at the port of Okto in South Korea in June. This is the first of the series ordered by Maersk Line, the shipping unit of Denmark’s AP-Moller Maersk shipping and oil conglomerate. [Photo/China Daily]

Twenty Triple-E vessels ordered to deploy on Asia-Europe route

Maersk Line has deployed the world's largest container ship on its China services to serve the nation's growth in foreign trade.

The first of the series of Triple-E vessels owned by Maersk Line, the shipping unit of Denmark's AP-Moller Maersk shipping and oil conglomerate, made its maiden call at the Shanghai Yangshan port on Friday.

The new ship is the first of the 20 Triple-E vessels ordered by the Danish shipping giant and built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co Ltd in South Korea. Each vessel will cost $185 million.

The Triple-E vessels are designed to carry 18,000 20-foot equivalent units. The ship, which is 400 meters long and 59 meters wide, is the largest vessel of any type on the water now. However, it only requires 22 crew members.

David Williams, managing director of Maersk Line East and Central China, said the Triple-E fleet will help position the cargo carrier to meet China's growth in foreign trade. It is the most efficient way for Maersk Line to tap into the development of China, he said.

Another five Triple-E vessels will be delivered to Maersk Line by December, and they will be deployed on the Asia-Europe route. The remaining 14 ships will be delivered by 2015. The expected service life of each vessel is 25 to 30 years.

Williams said Europe and the United States are certainly having difficulties in resolving different financial problems.

"We are still facing challenges because China's exports are largely based on these countries' demand for Chinese goods," he said.