Maersk Line has signed a contract for 10 of the world's largest, most efficient container vessels with an option to buy another 20. The company says they will reduce CO2 emissions by 50%.

The new vessels, known as Triple-E, will have a capacity of 18,000 TEU and will be delivered from Korea's DSME shipyard from 2013 to 2015.

At 400 metres long, 59 metres wide and 73 metres tall, the Triple-E will be the largest vessel of any known to be in operation. Its 18,000 twenty-foot container capacity is a massive 16% larger (2,500 TEU) than Emma Maersk.

At a cost of US$190 million per vessel the contract will be worth 5.7 billion should the option for a further 20 vessels be exercised. Maersk Line is investing in the ships to enable it to profit from the expected 5–8% growth in trade between Asia and Europe and to maintain its industry leading market share.

A new benchmark

The new vessels will not just set a benchmark for size, they will also ensure Maersk Line reaches its goals at the lowest possible cost, while producing the lowest amount of CO₂ emissions — an astonishing 50% less CO₂ per container moved than the industry average on the Asia–Europe trade.

"One of the biggest challenges we face in the world today is how to meet the growing needs of a growing population while minimising the impact that it is going to have on our planet," said
Maersk Line CEO Eivind Kolding. "International trade will continue to play a key role in the development of the global economy but, for the health of the planet, we must continue to reduce our CO₂ emissions."

"It is not only a top priority for us, but also for our customers, who depend on us in their supply chain and also for a growing number of consumers who base their purchasing decisions on this type of information," explained Kolding.

More information is available at www.maerskline.com/triple-e.