Matz Maersk Makes First Malta Call

Matz Maersk, one of the world’s largest vessels forming part of the Triple E class, made its maiden voyage port call at Malta’s Freeport Terminal on 5th July, 2016.

The Dutch flag containership is the ninth vessel of the Triple E series built for A.P. Moller, Maersk Group in 2014, and was essentially the largest ship in the world, with a capacity of 18,270 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), but was subsequently surpassed by even larger ones built in 2015.

The name "Triple E" is derived from the class's three design principles: "Economy of scale, Energy efficient, and Environmentally improved". These ships are not only the world's longest ships in service, but also the most efficient container ships per TEU of cargo. Triple-E vessels, which broke the world record in container ship capacity without requiring more engine power, are designed and optimized for lower speeds. These vessels reduce CO2 emissions by 35% per container moved, compared to industry average on the Asia-Europe trade.

Matz Maersk is arriving from Far East via the Suez Canal, prior to crossing the Atlantic. After reaching the port of Marsaxlokk it shall continue its journey Felixstowe, UK.

Matz Maersk has extraordinary dimensions including a length of 399 meters, a width of 59 meters, a draught of 16.50 meters, a deadweight tonnage of 196,000 tons, and a maximum 18,270 TEU capacity. The average vessel capacity handled at Malta Freeport Terminal is 15000. Though, with the delivery of new cranes in late 2015, Malta Freeport Terminal has been able to effectively handle 18,000 TEU vessels and over. With these cranes Malta is the only hub in the Mediterranean capable of handling 18,000 TEU vessels and larger.

Maersk Line is the world’s largest container shipping company, operating 605 container vessels. It is the core container liner shipping activity of the A.P. Moller, Maersk Group, which is renowned internationally not solely for being the most secure and reliable container shipping company, but also the most environmentally friendly. Maersk Line is exclusively represented in Malta by Thomas Smith Group since 2009.