The first Triple-E class vessel was launched at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Okpo Shipyard on February 27, 2013. The vessel will be named Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller after the late shipping magnate and currently, it is the world’s largest vessel.
In February 2011, Maersk ordered 10 of these energy efficient container vessels with an option to buy another 20. In June of the same year the company exercised one of the two options to build additional 10 Triple-E ships.
Delivery of the first Triple-E class vessel Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller is scheduled for July 2013.
A Triple-E class vessel is 400 metres long, 59 metres wide and 73 metres high. The Triple-E is the largest vessel of any type on the water today. Its 18,000 TEU (twenty-foot container) capacity is 16 percent greater (2,500 containers) than that of Emma Maersk, the largest vessel in Maersk’s fleet up till now.
The Triple-E will produce 20 percent less CO2 per container moved compared to Emma Maersk and 50 percent less than the industry average on the Asia-Europe trade lane. In addition, it will consume approximately 35 percent less fuel per container than the 13,100 TEU vessels being delivered to other container shipping lines in the next few years, also for Asia-Europe service.
[mappress]
World Maritime News Staff, March 4, 2013; Image: DSME