Maersk’s new dual-fuel container vessel class enters service
Maersk has announced the introduction of a new class of 17,480TEU vessels equipped with dual-fuel methanol propulsion at Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) yard in Ulsan, South Korea.
This new class of container ships will enhance Maersk’s service offerings, connecting Eastern Asia with Northern Europe.
The first vessel, named Berlin Mærsk, is the 14th dual-fuel newbuild to join the company’s fleet, with five more sister vessels expected to follow.
The maiden vessel is set to commence operations on the AE3 service route starting with its first port call in Shanghai on 7 July.
Maersk head of chartering and newbuilding Anda Cristescu 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.”
The design of Berlin Mærsk closely mirrors that of the preceding Ane Mærsk class, which added 12 dual-fuel vessels to Maersk’s fleet, all constructed by HHI.
A notable design modification is the vessel’s increased beam, enabling it to carry a larger number of containers and making it the largest dual-fuel ship within Maersk’s current fleet.
All six vessels in this new series are under construction by HHI and are expected to be delivered this year and will operate under the Danish flag.
Maersk head of fleet technology Ole Graa Jakobsen 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.”
Recently, Nokia secured a contract to implement private wireless network solutions across 450 of Maersk’s vessels.
This project is part of Maersk’s OneWireless IoT connectivity platform, which aims to provide customers with real-time cargo tracking, enhanced supply chain visibility, and improved operational efficiency.
The deployment is underway and is slated for completion by the first quarter of 2026.
