THE transpacific trade lane is to receive two of the largest containerships ever to ply the route thanks to the push to move Chinese goods to the US ahead of the January 1 implementation of the next round of US tariffs on Chinese imports.
Maersk Line is redeploying the 17,816 TEU sister ships Eleonora Maersk and Eugen Maersk on to the TP-6/Pearl service that it operates with MSC. The E class ships will replace the 13,102 TEU Maersk Ensenada and 13,568 TEU Maersk Essen for the duration of one round voyage, according to Alphaliner.
The two mega ships fall just short of the 17,859 TEU CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, which performed three transpacific round voyages in 2016 before shifting to Asia-Europe duties, the traditional home of box ships in excess of 15,000 TEU, reported Singapore's Splash 247.
Carriers have deployed more capacity on the transpacific in recent months as spot rates have recovered from lows of below US$1,000 per FEU in February to highs topping $2,500.
Maersk Line is redeploying the 17,816 TEU sister ships Eleonora Maersk and Eugen Maersk on to the TP-6/Pearl service that it operates with MSC. The E class ships will replace the 13,102 TEU Maersk Ensenada and 13,568 TEU Maersk Essen for the duration of one round voyage, according to Alphaliner.
The two mega ships fall just short of the 17,859 TEU CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, which performed three transpacific round voyages in 2016 before shifting to Asia-Europe duties, the traditional home of box ships in excess of 15,000 TEU, reported Singapore's Splash 247.
Carriers have deployed more capacity on the transpacific in recent months as spot rates have recovered from lows of below US$1,000 per FEU in February to highs topping $2,500.