Maersk Line deploys its first 2nd generation Triple-E
On 27 April 2017, Madrid Maersk, a 20,568 TEU container vessel and the first 2nd generation Triple-E, called the Port of Tianjin in China. This was the first port on its maiden voyage. Maersk Line says it has deployed Madrid Maersk in its Asia – Europe service network.
Madrid Maersk is the first in a series of eleven (11) 2nd generation Triple-E vessels. It is also the first of the 27 vessels Maersk Line ordered in 2015 to enter service. Maersk Line will take delivery of the vessels until end of 2018 and they will replace older and less efficient tonnage.
Maersk Line has not taken delivery of own new-buildings since July 2015.
Maersk Line’s remaining order book consists of ten (10) 2nd generation Triple-E vessels, nine (9) 15,226 TEU and seven (7) 3,596 TEU container vessels. The order book corresponds to 11% of Maersk Line’s current fleet – a relatively small order book when compared to the industry’s order book of around 15%.
To stay competitive and achieve lowest cost, Maersk Line will continue to manage fleet capacity tightly. For example, Maersk Line has a relatively high number of vessels on short term charters. This gives Maersk Line the flexibility to adjust fleet capacity when new vessels come on-stream. Maersk Line is also recycling old and more inefficient vessels. In the first quarter of 2017, Maersk Line recycled seven Panamax vessels.
