The world’s largest ship has been named after Danish shipping magnate Arnold Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller at an official ceremony. Maersk Line’s newest vessel, the first of the Triple-E series being built at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering shipyard in Okpo, South Korea, now bears the name of the Danish conglomerate’s former CEO who passed away in 2012 at the age of 98. The Triple-E is the largest ship in the world and sets new standards in the container industry, not just for size, but also of energy efficiency and environmental performance. Unique design features for slower speeds and maximum efficiency mean the vessel will emit 50 per cent less CO2 per container moved than the current average on the Asia-Europe route. The ships will measure 400 metres by 59 metres and will be able to carry 18,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containers, 2,500 more than their predecessors the Mærsk E-class series. They will be powered by dual 32MW (43,000hp) ultra-long stroke two-stroke diesel engines, driving two propellers at a design speed of 19 knots using a strategy known as "slow steaming" to lower fuel consumption by about 37 per cent. Maersk Line has ordered 20 of the vessels, which will be phased in gradually over the next couple of years on the existing route between Asia and Northern Europe, with the first due for delivery on June 28. CEO, Søren Skou, began the ceremony by welcoming guests and recounting the important tradition of naming ceremonies in Maersk ever since the first event in 1906 welcomed Peter Mærsk as the second vessel in the fleet. He then handed the podium and the honour of naming the first Triple-E vessel to Ane Mærsk Mc-Kinney Uggla, the youngest daughter of Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller. “I name you Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller,” she said. “As you sail the waters of the world, may your journeys be smooth and your tasks successful. May you bring happiness to your crew, may you be a safe haven for all who board you and may you bring pride and prosperity to all. I wish you Godspeed!” Source: eandt.theiet.org. Source: Article
