U.S. flag oceangoing cargo vessels, has completed a recapitalization of
its U.S. flag container fleet. The effort involved an investment of
nearly $400 million for the purchase and reflagging of nine ships into
the U.S. registry.
In keeping with its commitment to provide world-class U.S. flag
transportation services, MLL’s recapitalization plan called for the
company to remove nine older, smaller ships from its U.S. fleet and
replace them with larger, faster and more modern U.S. flag tonnage. All
nine of the reflagged ships are enrolled in the Maritime Security
Program. “This additional capacity and capability, paired with the
optimization and expansion of our U.S. flag network will enable us to
provide even more reliable, timely and flexible service to our
government customers,” said Bill Kenwell, MLL’s Chief Commercial
Officer.
The ships joining MLL’s fleet will be deployed on the MECL 1, MECL 2 and
Trans-Atlantic services and include: MAERSK KENTUCKY, MAERSK IDAHO,
MAERSK UTAH, MAERSK WISCONSIN, MAERSK WYOMING, SEALAND CHAMPION, SEALAND
EAGLE, SEALAND MERCURY and SEALAND RACER. These ships feature an
average capacity of more than 4000 TEU and an average age of just 10
years, while the nine ships they replace had an average capacity of only
3400 TEU and an average age of 23 years.
MLL’s Technical Organization and its Maritime Technical Services
business unit, which develops and applies advanced operating,
maintenance and lifecycle strategies for maritime customers, are
managing the sale and recycling of the nine older U.S. flag ships.
“Moving a total of 18 vessels into and out of the U.S. fleet is a
complex challenge,” said Bob Bowers, MLL’s Senior Director of Maritime
Technical Services, “but our close working relationship with the U.S.
Coast Guard, the class societies and other regulatory agencies allows us
to keep the project on schedule and minimize downtime for the ships.”
Ships being removed from MLL’s U.S. flag fleet include: MAERSK ARIZONA,
SEALAND ACHIEVER, SEALAND ATLANTIC, SEALAND COMMITMENT, SEALAND FLORIDA,
SEALAND MOTIVATOR, SEALAND PERFORMANCE, SEALAND PRIDE and SEALAND
QUALITY. All ships selected for recycling will be recycled using
environmentally sound practices in accordance with the A.P.
Moller-Maersk commitment to environmental stewardship and social
responsibility. In addition, the size and efficiency of the newer ships
will result in reduced fuel consumption and emissions, both of which are
key components of the Maersk environmental strategy. Further
information on the company’s ship recycling program and other global
environmental efforts can be found at www.maerskgreen.com.
About Maersk Line, Limited
Maersk Line, Limited is an American company, based in Norfolk, Va., that
provides U.S. flag transportation, ship management and technical
services to government and commercial customers. As a business within
the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, our customers rely on our unparalleled
experience, maritime expertise and global intermodal capability.
Maritime Technical Services applies proven program management, along
with maintenance and lifecycle strategies that optimize performance for
maritime customers in the U.S. and Canada. U.S. Flag Transportation
Services offers flexible and reliable end-to-end transport for any U.S.
government cargo, from containers and military vehicles, to breakbulk
and humanitarian food aid. We seek everyday to build greater trust in
our maritime and transportation services and to strengthen the
partnership with our customers for years to come.
