Maersk Reported Close to 18,000-TEU Ship Order

Maersk Line is close to placing an order for up to 20 container ships that would each be able to transport 18,000 20-foot ocean containers, breaking through industry standards for carrying capacity.

The Danish carrier is negotiations with South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding on a contract that would be worth up to $2 billion, the Korea Economic Daily reported.

The newspaper, citing unidentified industry officials, said the deal would include firm orders for 10 of the new mega-ships and options for 10 more.

The largest container ships in use today have a capacity of just under 15,000 TEUs and were first ordered by Maersk. Industry analysts say the huge vessels are rapidly displacing smaller ships as carriers seek greater operating efficiencies and vessel design and engineering advances to meet those goals

Maersk, the world’s biggest ocean carrier, and the South Korean yard, have declined to comment on the report.

The company’s parent has seen a huge turnaround in its finances this year under growing demand and tighter cost controls. A.P. Moller-Maersk is projecting a $5 billion profit this year and last week placed $665 million of bonds, its third issue in just over a year.

Various industry reports on ship design research say the 18,000 TEUs ships may be powered by liquefied natural gas, which produces fewer emissions than traditional marine fuels and is potentially less expensive.

Source: Journal of Commerce