A new generation of high-capacity containerships begins to sail the seas with the debut of the Berlin Mærsk, the first in a series of six 17,480 TEU vessels equipped with dual methanol propulsion.
The christening of the container ship Berlin Mærsk
The vessel was christened on June 18 at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, and represents a decisive step in Maersk’s fleet renewal strategy aimed at energy efficiency and emissions reduction.
The Berlin Mærsk has an extended beam compared to the previous class, allowing it to carry more containers than its predecessors. This feature makes it the largest dual-fuel vessel in Maersk’s fleet to date.
Its design is a direct evolution of the Ane Mærsk class, which had already introduced significant improvements in sustainable navigation. With this new series, Maersk is committed to higher capacity without compromising environmental efficiency.
Entry into service and key routes
The Berlin Mærsk is scheduled to enter service on July 7 with its first call in Shanghai. It will operate on the AE3 service, which links East Asia with Northern Europe, one of the most strategic routes for international trade.
All container ships of this class will carry the Danish flag and will be delivered during 2025. Construction is being carried out by Hyundai Heavy Industriesconsolidating its strategic alliance with Maersk in alternative propulsion technologies.
Commitment to energy transition
Maersk maintains its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. An essential part of this goal is the incorporation of vessels powered by low-carbon fuels, such as methanol, which can reduce emissions by up to 65% over their life cycle.
The company already has more than a dozen methanol-powered vessels and has other orders in the pipeline, including 9,000, 16,000 and 17,000 TEU units. The Berlin Mærsk joins this fleet as an emblem of the next stage in the decarbonization of shipping.
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Source and photo: Maersk
