March 03, 2004

By: Don French
Website: http://www.1st-in-flags.com

Maersk Line, Limited invests in modern US flag vessels

Maersk Line, Limited will purchase 4 modern Panamax G-Class vessels that it will operate under U.S. registry beginning in October 2002. Replacing four older and slower 1,500 TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) vessels, each of the G-Class vessels has 4,300 TEU capacity and will be the most modern containerships in the U.S. flag fleet. Maersk Line,

Limited will employ 19 American citizen merchant mariners to crew each vessel and all four vessels will be enrolled in the U.S. Government's Maritime Security Program. Maersk Line, Limited's continued investment in modernizing and upgrading its U.S. flag fleet will increase the containership capacity and capability available to support the needs of the sealift readiness requirements of the U.S. military as well as our commercial customers, said Ken Gaulden, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Government Relations.

Maersk Line, Limited will operate the four new vessels -- Maersk Missouri, Maersk Carolina, Maersk Georgia and Maersk Virginia -- in liner service between the U.S. East coast and ports in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. Maersk Line, Limited will be the only carrier operating a direct U.S. Flag liner service to the Middle East region, which is an important area of the world to many of our commercial and government customers, adds Ken Gaulden. This direct U.S. Flag service will shorten transit times, improve service reliability, and provide added cargo security.

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About The Author:

Don French is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-flags.com.  The flags of the world are symbols of recognition full of beauty and color for each country.