Posted:
January 10, 2012
First of two new heavy-lift ships enters service under U.S. flag with Maersk-Rickmers
The heavy-lift ship Maersk Illinois completed the re-flagging process Dec. 30 and loaded its first cargo under U.S. registry in Mobile, Ala., adding new tonnage the U.S.-flag project cargo fleet and bringing new jobs to the membership of American Maritime Officers.
The sistership of the Maersk Illinois, the Maersk Texas, will also come under the U.S. flag, and like the Maersk Illinois, will be manned in all licensed positions by AMO members.
Acquired last September, the recently built ships are operated by Maersk-Rickmers U.S. Flag Project Carrier, a new partnership formed by Maersk Line, Limited and Rickmers-Linie (America) to serve the U.S.-flag project cargo market. Both ships will provide break-bulk and project cargo service for shippers requiring U.S.-flagged vessels.
"This exciting expansion of the U.S.-flag fleet is a testament to both the entrepreneurial effectiveness of Maersk and Rickmers, and the significance of political action to American merchant mariners and U.S.-flag carriers," said AMO National President Tom Bethel.
"U.S. cargo preference requirements generate work in U.S.-flag commercial trades by supplying project cargoes financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank," Bethel said. "Maintaining U.S. cargo preference statutes requires effective political action on Capitol Hill by AMO and other American maritime interests. Meeting the demand for U.S.-flag service generated by these statutes requires the kind of industrial innovation executed here by Maersk-Rickmers. The successful outcome has resulted in the expansion of the AMO job base, creation of new seagoing and shoreside jobs in the U.S. maritime industry, the addition of two recently built ships to the U.S.-flag fleet and a new project cargo service that supports the nation's commerce, security and national defense needs."
At 19,500 dead-weight tons, the Maersk Illinois is 148 meters (about 486 feet) long and can carry 20,000 cubic meters (about 706,394 cubic feet) of cargo. With two onboard cargo cranes providing a maximum lift of 480 metric tons, the ship is ideally suited for carrying a wide range of large and heavy cargo, such as generators, locomotives, wind turbines and gas turbines.
After loading its first U.S.-flag cargo in Alabama, the Maersk Illinois sailed for Ghana. The vessel will make port calls around the globe on inducement.
"We are pleased to see this re-flagging process completed, allowing us to introduce our modern ship and bring new value to the U.S.-flag project cargo market," said Dave Harriss, director of ship management and chartering at Maersk Line, Limited. "We are now looking forward to bringing the Maersk Texas into the U.S.-flag fleet as we continue to build the service."
New jobs for AMO aboard Maersk Illinois
First of two new heavy-lift ships enters service under U.S. flag with Maersk-Rickmers
The heavy-lift ship Maersk Illinois completed the re-flagging process Dec. 30 and loaded its first cargo under U.S. registry in Mobile, Ala., adding new tonnage the U.S.-flag project cargo fleet and bringing new jobs to the membership of American Maritime Officers.
The sistership of the Maersk Illinois, the Maersk Texas, will also come under the U.S. flag, and like the Maersk Illinois, will be manned in all licensed positions by AMO members.
Acquired last September, the recently built ships are operated by Maersk-Rickmers U.S. Flag Project Carrier, a new partnership formed by Maersk Line, Limited and Rickmers-Linie (America) to serve the U.S.-flag project cargo market. Both ships will provide break-bulk and project cargo service for shippers requiring U.S.-flagged vessels.
"This exciting expansion of the U.S.-flag fleet is a testament to both the entrepreneurial effectiveness of Maersk and Rickmers, and the significance of political action to American merchant mariners and U.S.-flag carriers," said AMO National President Tom Bethel.
"U.S. cargo preference requirements generate work in U.S.-flag commercial trades by supplying project cargoes financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank," Bethel said. "Maintaining U.S. cargo preference statutes requires effective political action on Capitol Hill by AMO and other American maritime interests. Meeting the demand for U.S.-flag service generated by these statutes requires the kind of industrial innovation executed here by Maersk-Rickmers. The successful outcome has resulted in the expansion of the AMO job base, creation of new seagoing and shoreside jobs in the U.S. maritime industry, the addition of two recently built ships to the U.S.-flag fleet and a new project cargo service that supports the nation's commerce, security and national defense needs."
At 19,500 dead-weight tons, the Maersk Illinois is 148 meters (about 486 feet) long and can carry 20,000 cubic meters (about 706,394 cubic feet) of cargo. With two onboard cargo cranes providing a maximum lift of 480 metric tons, the ship is ideally suited for carrying a wide range of large and heavy cargo, such as generators, locomotives, wind turbines and gas turbines.
After loading its first U.S.-flag cargo in Alabama, the Maersk Illinois sailed for Ghana. The vessel will make port calls around the globe on inducement.
"We are pleased to see this re-flagging process completed, allowing us to introduce our modern ship and bring new value to the U.S.-flag project cargo market," said Dave Harriss, director of ship management and chartering at Maersk Line, Limited. "We are now looking forward to bringing the Maersk Texas into the U.S.-flag fleet as we continue to build the service."