Maersk reportedly orders ten 18,000-TEU ships from Daewoo

DANISH shipping giant Maersk has placed a US$2 billion order for ten 18,000-TEU ships - the world`s biggest containerships by far - with South Korea`s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, Reuters reports.

Maersk was said to be planning 18,000-TEUers, making them 4,000 TEU larger than its largest ship - the world`s biggest - the 14,000-TEU Emma Maersk. Numerous orders have been placed in recent months for 13,000-TEU plus ships by rival lines.


Maersk Line is also said to be negotiating options for another 10 of the same size, which would take the total value of the contract to $4 billion, said Reuters.


"The deal has been signed and they are preparing details ahead of a public announcement expected next week," a source told the British news agency.


But parent company AP Moller-Maersk would only say. "We do not comment on rumours and we have not signed any deal with Daewoo."


Maersk Line`s north Asia chief Tim Smith has scheduled a news conference today Monday February 21 to "outline company plans".