Maersk Line, Limited brings the first of two Project Cargo ships under the US Flag

News Release Maersk Line, Limited (Corporate Headquarters ) January 16, 2012

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Norfolk,
VA, January
10, 2012 – Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) completed the reflagging
under US registry of Maersk Illinois, its newest
multipurpose heavy-lift vessel. The ship is one of two sister vessels that MLL
acquired in September 2011 and which will sail for Maersk-Rickmers US Flag
Project Carrier (Maersk-Rickmers), providing breakbulk and project cargo service
for shippers requiring US flag service. Maersk-Rickmers was jointly formed for
this purpose by MLL and Rickmers-Linie (America).
“We are pleased to
see this reflagging<A name=_GoBack></A> process completed, allowing us to
introduce our modern ship and bring new value to the US flag project cargo
market,” said Dave Harriss, Director of Ship Management and Chartering at MLL.
“We are now looking forward to bringing the second ships, Maersk Texas,
under the US flag fleet as we
continue to build the service.” 
Maersk Illinois completed its maiden voyage in
Mobile, Alabama where its reflagging was
performed. The 19,600 DWT ship is 148 meters long and can carry 20,000 cubic
meters of cargo. With two onboard cargo cranes with a combined maximum lift of
480 metric tons, she is ideally suited for handling of a wide variety of heavy
and bulky cargo such as generators, locomotives, wind and gas turbines,
hazardous materials and more. The vessel will make port calls on inducement
around the globe.
“As Maersk-Rickmers,
we now offer a solution that will soon become the first choice for our clients,”
said Steve Garifalos, General Manager of Sales and Customer Service at
Rickmers-Linie (America). “Expansion of the US flag multipurpose fleet benefits
project businesses and those shippers needing heavy-lift service.”
Maersk Illinois loaded its first US flag impelled
cargo immediately after the reflagging was completed on December 30 and set sail
for Ghana with its new crew of US mariners
from American Maritime Officers and Seafarers International Union. 
Maersk-Rickmers brings together MLL’s expertise in the
operation and management of US flag vessels and Rickmers-Linie’s 175 years of
experience handling project cargoes worldwide. The complementary capabilities
create a reliable service that realizes the efficiencies US flag customers need
to compete on a global basis.
For
more information on Maersk-Rickmers, please visit <A
href="redir.aspx?C=92066afe31f74c0b994beafd6af36c45&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.maersk-rickmers.com%2f"
target=_blank>www.maersk-rickmers.com</A>.
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