Maersk Line, Limited and Rickmers-Linie (America), Inc. Form U.S. Flag Project Cargo Partnership

News Release Maersk Line, Limited (Corporate Headquarters ) September 19, 2011

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<DIV>Maersk Line,
Norfolk, VA and Houston, TX, September 19, 2011 
–  Maersk Line,
Limited and Rickmers-Linie (America), Inc. today announced a
partnership to provide breakbulk and project cargo shipping using two
newly-built multi-purpose ships to be operated under the U.S. flag. The partnership brings
together the complementary capabilities of the two companies to offer customers
a new option for moving large and heavy cargoes worldwide. 
 
Customers seeking heavy-lift
multipurpose vessels under the U.S. flag will benefit from this
partnership. The new 19,000 deadweight ton vessels, named Maersk Illinois and
Maersk Texas, each have a combined maximum lift of 480 metric tons and are twice
the size of U.S. flag multipurpose vessels currently in operation. The service will operate as Maersk-Rickmers U.S.
Flag Project Carrier, Maersk-Rickmers for short.
 
“The Maersk-Rickmers
service is designed for shippers needing U.S. flag service and
seeking the advantageous economics of large multi-purpose vessels,” said Dave
Harriss, director of Ship Management and Chartering at Maersk Line, Limited. “As
part of our market analysis, we heard from shippers who said they want greater
flexibility from their carriers and the ability to support all their cargo
requirements. We listened, and the Maersk-Rickmers service is designed with our
customers in mind.” 
 
“The Maersk-Rickmers
partnership will have a positive effect on U.S. trade by providing cargo owners
the customer-oriented service that both companies are known for,” said Sean
Carney, President and CEO of Rickmers-Linie (America). “This adds a new
dimension to the portfolio of services Rickmers-Linie provides to customers in
the project and breakbulk cargo markets.”
 
With more than 175 years to its
name, Rickmers-Linie provides a global network of liner services for the
transportation of power generation machinery, wind power equipment, railway
locomotives, yachts and similar cargoes. Rickmers-Linie is internationally recognized as a
leader in ocean transportation of break-bulk, heavy-lift and project cargoes.
Its technical expertise in stowage planning reduces shippers’ risks and makes
loading and unloading safe, smooth and efficient. Rickmers-Linie (America) is
based in Houston, Texas and the headquarters of Rickmers-Linie is in Hamburg,
Germany.
 
Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) is an
American company headquartered in Norfolk, VA that provides U.S. flag transportation, ship
management and maritime technical services to government and commercial
customers. As a business within the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group, MLL uniquely
combines unparalleled experience, maritime expertise and global reach. Since
1983, MLL has managed and operated nearly 100 vessels of varying types and
sizes, including multipurpose and roll-on/roll-off vessels. With the largest
U.S. flag fleet in commercial service,
MLL brings ship operations and management expertise to the
partnership.
 
“The introduction of
these vessels further signals Maersk Line, Limited’s long-term commitment to the
U.S. flag,” said John F. Reinhart, President and CEO of Maersk Line, Limited.
“The partnership with Rickmers forms a strong team that will deliver outstanding
service to shippers worldwide.”
 
The ships are currently under the
Marshall
Islands flag and are
preparing for their maiden voyages. In November, the vessels are scheduled to
complete the process to bring them under the U.S. flag. As the shipowner, MLL is
responsible for the reflagging, a process it has completed almost 40 times since
2005.
 
For further
information on Maersk-Rickmers U.S. Flag Project
Carrier, customers should contact Dave Harriss
(<A
href="redir.aspx?C=3a62cdd4b11b48b38ea88af1c7dabf31&URL=mailto%3adharriss%40mllnet.com">dharriss@mllnet.com</A>) or Sean Carney
(<A
href="redir.aspx?C=3a62cdd4b11b48b38ea88af1c7dabf31&URL=mailto%3as.carney%40rickmers.net">s.carney@rickmers.net</A>). Media inquiries
may be addressed to Kevin Speers (<A
href="redir.aspx?C=3a62cdd4b11b48b38ea88af1c7dabf31&URL=mailto%3akspeers%40mllnet.com">kspeers@mllnet.com</A>) at Maersk Line,
Limited; and at Rickmers-Linie, Steve Garifalos (<A
href="redir.aspx?C=3a62cdd4b11b48b38ea88af1c7dabf31&URL=mailto%3as.garifalos%40rickmers.net">s.garifalos@rickmers.net</A>) for the Americas
and Marko Stampehl (<A
href="redir.aspx?C=3a62cdd4b11b48b38ea88af1c7dabf31&URL=mailto%3a______%40rickmers.net">m.stampehl@rickmers.net</A>) for all others.
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