Maersk Enters Talks for $1.5bln Mega-Boxships Order
Maersk Line, a unit of conglomerate A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S, is reported to be having discussions with Asian shipbuilders over an order for up to 10 container mega-ships worth a total of around US$1.5 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The vessels will have a capacity of around 20,000teu, which, if the reports are accurate, would regain the line its title of owning the world’s biggest ULCVs.
The order is expected to be made by the end of the first quarter says sources related to Denmark’s Maersk Line, though company spokesman declined to comment.
Two months ago, Maersk Line Chief Executive Soren Skou stated that despite the extra tonnage in the water his company was looking to place new orders of mostly large container ships in the first half of this year.
Skou said demand for shipping would grow 4% to 5% over the next few years and large container vessels like the Triple-E class—the world’s largest and most efficient vessels, which can carry in excess of 18,000 containers—save the company around 25% of the cost of moving a container from Asia to Europe compared with smaller vessels in Maersk’s fleet, provided the ships sail fully loaded.
Market observers predicted deliveries of ships larger than 10,000 TEU to grow by a quarter over the next year. Everyone looks at bigger vessels and for those that can't afford them it will be difficult to compete
Maersk Line formed the 2M alliance with Mediterranean Shipping Co. last year in a bid to cut costs.
