Maersk and Rickmers form project cargo partnership

Maersk Line Limited and Rickmers-Linie Inc. (America) announced a partnership to provide breakbulk and project cargo shipping using two newly-built multi-purpose ships to be operated under the US flag. The partnership brings together the complementary capabilities of the two companies to offer customers a new option for moving large and heavy cargoes worldwide.

Customers seeking heavy-lift multipurpose vessels under the US flag will benefit from this partnership. The new 19,000 deadweight ton vessels, named Maersk Illinois and Maersk Texas, each have a combined maximum lift of 480 metric tons and are twice the size of US flag multipurpose vessels currently in operation. The service will operate as Maersk-Rickmers US Flag Project Carrier, Maersk-Rickmers for short.

“The Maersk-Rickmers service is designed for shippers needing US flag service and seeking the advantageous economics of large multi-purpose vessels,” said Dave Harriss, director of Ship Management and Chartering at Maersk Line. “As part of our market analysis, we heard from shippers who said they want greater flexibility from their carriers and the ability to support all their cargo requirements. We listened, and the Maersk-Rickmers service is designed with our customers in mind.”

“The Maersk-Rickmers partnership will have a positive effect on US trade by providing cargo owners the customer-oriented service that both companies are known for,” said Sean Carney, President and CEO of Rickmers-Linie (America). “This adds a new dimension to the portfolio of services Rickmers-Linie provides to customers in the project and breakbulk cargo markets.”