The global shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk has officially christened the first vessel in its new “Berlin Class” series of container ships, each equipped with dual-fuel methanol propulsion systems. This marks another step in the company’s transition toward greener maritime operations.
The naming ceremony for the “Berlin Express” took place today at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.
The “Berlin Express” is the 14th dual-fuel newbuilding to join the Maersk fleet. It is part of a series of six ships being built by HHI, all scheduled for delivery this year. With a capacity of 17,480 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), the “Berlin Express” becomes the largest dual-fuel ship in the company’s fleet.
“With the launch of the Berlin Class, we continue building a future-ready fleet capable of operating on different fuel types. Fleet renewal is essential for staying competitive in global shipping and is a cornerstone of our commitment to decarbonization,” said Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering & Newbuilding at Maersk.
“Ane Maersk” class paved the way for dual-fuel innovation
Maersk stated that the ship’s design closely resembles the previous “Ane Mærsk” class, a fleet of 12 dual-fuel ships also built by HHI. However, the Berlin Class features a wider beam, allowing for higher cargo capacity—making it Maersk’s most spacious dual-fuel ship to date.
In total, Maersk currently has 50 newbuilds on order, amounting to 698,000 TEU, including ships in the 17,000, 15,000, and 9,000 TEU range, as well as smaller units.
“We are delighted that we can now start delivering the ‘Berlin’ Class series, which builds on the foundations we laid first with the Laura Mærsk and later with the ‘Ane Mærsk’ class,” said Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology at Maersk.
On July 7, the “Berlin Express” is scheduled to call at its first port in Shanghai, where it will begin operations as part of Maersk’s AE3 service between East Asia and Northern Europe.
“Ane Maersk” (© Maersk)
