Posted:
May 13, 2013
Two of the four containerships operated by Maersk Line, Limited in the Maritime Security Program fleet and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers are being replaced with newer and larger vessels to upgrade the ocean transportation services provided to the company's U.S. military, government and commercial customers.
The ships purchased by the company will improve the quality of service to the Middle East and Mediterranean Sea from the U.S. East Coast, Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) reported. Since 2000, MLL has invested more than $1.75 billion to modernize its fleet in support of the U.S. government and military. The vessels, a total of eight being reflagged, are about 10 years younger than the outgoing ships, offering improved fuel efficiency and environmental performance.
"These eight newer vessels, along with the global transportation network that connects them, demonstrate our commitment to our customers. We are proud to serve the U.S. military and to deliver U.S. food aid worldwide," said MLL President and CEO John Reinhart. "MLL is focused on continual improvement, and these ships will further increase reliability and shrink our environmental footprint."
The vessels will join Maersk Line's weekly Middle East Container Line service (MECL1) throughout May and June. This route serves commercial customers and the U.S. military, and it transports U.S.-grown food aid. MECL1 will be the industry's only direct U.S.-flag service to and from the U.S. East Coast and Pakistan, and the service includes a new stop in Algeciras, Spain, MLL reported.
"We are pleased to bring more modern and useful assets into the MSP and VISA fleets," said Reinhart. "The vessels will augment our nation's security and sustain jobs for the U.S. merchant marine, the fourth arm of our national defense.
"The efforts of the mariners onboard the transitioning vessels and colleagues ashore have been excellent, assuring a timely and smooth progression of the reflagging process," he said.
The eight incoming vessels are named in honor of American cities that have brought industrial vitality to the U.S. economy through manufacturing, finance, transportation, and exports.
The Maersk Chicago was the first to be reflagged. She was brought into U.S. registry May 1 to replace the Maersk Virginia. The Maersk Pittsburgh will be reflagged U.S. in June to replace the Maersk Georgia in the MSP fleet.
Maersk Line, Limited reflags newer, larger containerships for MSP fleet
Two of the four containerships operated by Maersk Line, Limited in the Maritime Security Program fleet and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers are being replaced with newer and larger vessels to upgrade the ocean transportation services provided to the company's U.S. military, government and commercial customers.
The ships purchased by the company will improve the quality of service to the Middle East and Mediterranean Sea from the U.S. East Coast, Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) reported. Since 2000, MLL has invested more than $1.75 billion to modernize its fleet in support of the U.S. government and military. The vessels, a total of eight being reflagged, are about 10 years younger than the outgoing ships, offering improved fuel efficiency and environmental performance.
"These eight newer vessels, along with the global transportation network that connects them, demonstrate our commitment to our customers. We are proud to serve the U.S. military and to deliver U.S. food aid worldwide," said MLL President and CEO John Reinhart. "MLL is focused on continual improvement, and these ships will further increase reliability and shrink our environmental footprint."
The vessels will join Maersk Line's weekly Middle East Container Line service (MECL1) throughout May and June. This route serves commercial customers and the U.S. military, and it transports U.S.-grown food aid. MECL1 will be the industry's only direct U.S.-flag service to and from the U.S. East Coast and Pakistan, and the service includes a new stop in Algeciras, Spain, MLL reported.
"We are pleased to bring more modern and useful assets into the MSP and VISA fleets," said Reinhart. "The vessels will augment our nation's security and sustain jobs for the U.S. merchant marine, the fourth arm of our national defense.
"The efforts of the mariners onboard the transitioning vessels and colleagues ashore have been excellent, assuring a timely and smooth progression of the reflagging process," he said.
The eight incoming vessels are named in honor of American cities that have brought industrial vitality to the U.S. economy through manufacturing, finance, transportation, and exports.
The Maersk Chicago was the first to be reflagged. She was brought into U.S. registry May 1 to replace the Maersk Virginia. The Maersk Pittsburgh will be reflagged U.S. in June to replace the Maersk Georgia in the MSP fleet.