A.P. Moller-Maersk has named the first vessel in a new series of 17,480 TEU vessels equipped with dual-fuel methanol propulsion.
The naming event took place at Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) yard in Ulsan, South Korea. The vessel, Berlin Mærsk, is the 14th dual-fuel newbuild entering the Maersk fleet, and it will be followed by additional five sister vessels in this new class of container ships.
Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering and Newbuilding, Maersk, said: “With the launch of the Berlin Mærsk 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.”
Berlin Mærsk will make its first port call in Shanghai, where it will enter service on Maersk’s AE3 service connecting Eastern Asia with Northern Europe.
The vessel’s design closely resembles that of the previous Ane Mærsk class, from which Maersk has received a total of 12 dual-fuel vessels, all built by HHI. The only significant difference is the wider beam, which allows Berlin Mærsk to carry more containers. The increased capacity makes it the largest dual-fuel ship to date to join the Maersk fleet.
Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology, Maersk, said: “We are happy that we now begin taking delivery of the Berlin Mærsk series. 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 Mærsk class builds on the foundation that we first laid with Laura Mærsk and later the Ane Mærsk class. The Berlin Mærsk class showcases our ongoing efforts in innovation and optimisation, setting a new industry efficiency benchmark.”
All six vessels in the series are being built by HHI for delivery during 2025. They will sail under the Danish flag.
Image: Naming of ‘Berlin Maersk’ (source: A.P. Moller-Maersk)
