Maersk Line Container Fleet and Operations Overview

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A Maersk cargo ship loaded with containers at an industrial port under a cloudy sky.
Credit: pexels.com, A Maersk cargo ship loaded with containers at an industrial port under a cloudy sky.

Maersk Line has a vast container fleet that plays a crucial role in their operations. With over 750 vessels, they have one of the largest container fleets in the world.

Their fleet includes a mix of container ships, from small feeder vessels to massive mega-ships. These vessels range in size from 1,000 to 24,000 containers.

Maersk Line operates in over 300 ports worldwide, making them a global leader in container shipping.

Consider reading: Maersk Line Ship Tracking

History of Maersk Line

Maersk Line has a rich history that spans over 70 years. It was founded in 1904 by Arnold Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller, who started as a small shipping company.

The company grew rapidly and by the 1960s, it had become one of the largest shipping companies in the world. Maersk Line's success can be attributed to its innovative approach to shipping and logistics.

Maersk Line introduced its first container ship in 1968, revolutionizing the shipping industry. This marked the beginning of a new era in container shipping.

By the 1970s, Maersk Line had expanded its operations to include container terminals and inland services. The company's focus on efficiency and customer satisfaction helped it to establish a strong reputation in the industry.

Maersk Line's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has continued to this day.

Take a look at this: Tracking Maersk Line

Maersk Line Services

Aerial shot of Hong Kong's shipping containers and highway interchange showcasing urban logistics.
Credit: pexels.com, Aerial shot of Hong Kong's shipping containers and highway interchange showcasing urban logistics.

Maersk Line Services offer a wide range of routes to cater to different trade needs. Maersk's main operations serve the Asia-Europe and Trans-Atlantic trades.

The company operates between South America and Europe as well as to Africa. Daily Maersk, introduced in 2011, provided a premium guaranteed service between China and European base ports.

Despite some setbacks, Maersk Line has recently upgraded services on key routes. Asia to Australia, India to West Africa, and China to America routes have all seen improvements.

In addition to these main trade routes, Maersk Line operates many continental trade lines. It operates in its Intra-Asia route through MCC Transport.

The company also uses Seago Lines for its European route and has re-launched the SeaLand Service brand for its American trade lanes.

Sustainability and Emissions

Maersk Line has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint. In 2011-12, they tested algae biofuel on Maersk Kalmar, and from 2007 to 2014, they reduced their CO2 emissions by 40% or 11 million tonnes, which is about the same reduction as the rest of Denmark.

Maersk Line Ships
Credit: pexels.com, Maersk Line Ships

Maersk Line aims to be carbon neutral by 2050. They hope to eliminate their current emissions of 35.5 million tonnes of CO2e by using biofuels to power their fleet.

Maersk Line has already made some progress in this direction, with a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. They ordered 12 dual-fuel container ships from Hyundai in 2022, which will be capable of sailing on both fossil bunker fuel and methanol by 2025.

Here are the top 10 sustainable carriers according to Maersk's Emissions Insights:

  1. Interasia lines
  2. Regional Container Lines (RCL)
  3. TS Line
  4. Wan Hai Lines
  5. Korea Marine Transport Co. Ltd (KMTC)
  6. Evergreen Line
  7. Yang Ming Line
  8. Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. (OOCL)
  9. Pacific International Lines (PIL)
  10. Ocean Network Express (ONE Line)

Maersk Line Fleet and Operations

Maersk Line's fleet has grown significantly over the years, with over 700 vessels and 3.8 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containers as of 2024.

The company has introduced various container ship classes, including the E-class, which was introduced in 2006 with the Emma Maersk, the largest container ship in the world at the time.

Here's a breakdown of some of the notable container ship classes:

Maersk Line has also been at the forefront of innovation, with the first ship in their fleet to run on methanol being the Laura Mærsk, launched in 2023.

Fleet Overview

A Maersk Line container ship majestically sails on the sea near Terneuzen, Holland.
Credit: pexels.com, A Maersk Line container ship majestically sails on the sea near Terneuzen, Holland.

Maersk Line has a massive fleet of over 700 vessels, with a multitude of containers corresponding to more than 3.8 million TEU.

The company's fleet has undergone significant changes over the years, with the introduction of new ship classes and the retirement of older vessels. As of 2024, the fleet comprises a mix of old and new vessels, each with its own unique characteristics.

Maersk Line's largest container ship, the Madrid Maersk, was delivered in April 2017 and has a capacity of 20,568 TEU. This ship is part of the Triple E-class Gen.2, which is a series of 11 ships built between 2017 and 2019.

The company's fleet is divided into several ship classes, each with its own capacity and characteristics. Here's a breakdown of the different ship classes:

Maersk Line has also introduced newer ship classes, such as the A-Class III, which has a capacity of 16,000 TEU and is expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2027.

On-Time Arrival Performance

Credit: youtube.com, Daily Maersk: Arriving on time

Maersk has a strong on-time arrival record, with shipments arriving on schedule as of April 23, 2025.

Their on-time arrival performance is measured by comparing scheduled arrivals with actual arrivals of all vessels.

Maersk's on-time arrival rate is impressive, with shipments arriving on time as of April 23, 2025.

This level of punctuality is a testament to Maersk's commitment to efficiency and reliability in their operations.

Maersk's on-time arrival record is a key factor in their success as a leading shipping company.

Maersk Line Technology and Tools

You can track your Maersk container by entering its number into the search field above and clicking the Track Cargo button. This will give you full details of its journey.

Maersk offers a Track and Trace feature that allows you to track your shipments using container numbers and transport documents.

To track your Maersk shipment, you'll need a valid container tracking number. You can also use your booking number or Bill of Lading (B/L) number.

A Maersk cargo ship docked at Novorossiysk port with cranes under cloudy skies.
Credit: pexels.com, A Maersk cargo ship docked at Novorossiysk port with cranes under cloudy skies.

Here are the 3 easy steps to track your Maersk container online:

  1. Enter your container number, booking number, or B/L number.
  2. Click the "Track Shipment" button.
  3. Sign-up for an all-in-one dashboard with 3 free credits to manage your tracking requests.

Maersk's AI-Powered ETA Prediction feature can help you access your container's estimated time of arrival with just one click. This feature has been proven to be more accurate than carriers, with an accuracy rate of 96%.

Maersk Line Partnerships and Alliances

Maersk Line has partnered with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in the 2M Alliance, a vessel-sharing agreement on key trades. This alliance was launched in 2015 and includes 185 vessels with an estimated capacity of 2.1 million TEU.

The 2M Alliance involves a series of slot exchanges and slot purchases on east–west routes, and also includes taking over charters and operations of vessels chartered to HMM. Maersk Line and MSC have a significant presence in the shipping industry.

The 2M Alliance was deployed on 21 strings, indicating a comprehensive network of routes and services. The partnership between Maersk Line and MSC is a significant development in the shipping industry.

In 2023, the CEOs of Maersk Line and MSC announced that the 2M Alliance would be terminated in January 2025, marking the end of this partnership. The termination of the 2M Alliance will likely have a significant impact on the shipping industry.

Maersk Line Locations and Hubs

Large container ship Edith Maersk docked at Hamburg harbor during evening lights.
Credit: pexels.com, Large container ship Edith Maersk docked at Hamburg harbor during evening lights.

Maersk Line has a strong presence in various regions around the world, with key locations and hubs that enable efficient cargo handling and distribution.

Maersk Line has a global network of over 320 offices and depots, with a significant presence in major ports and trade lanes.

The company's largest hub is located in Copenhagen, Denmark, where it has a large container terminal and logistics operations.

Maersk Line also has a significant presence in Asia, with key locations in China, Japan, and South Korea, which serve as major hubs for its Asian-Europe trade lane.

Roubaix

Roubaix is a significant location for Maersk Line, as it's where the container ship Maersk Roubaix was headed on December 21, 2021, before it suffered from engine issues. The ship was en route to the port of Algeciras in Spain.

Maersk Roubaix was located 370 kilometres from Malta in the Mediterranean Sea when it became adrift. A tugboat was dispatched to assist the ship.

Mumbai

Container ship Maersk loading at a busy industrial port under cranes.
Credit: pexels.com, Container ship Maersk loading at a busy industrial port under cranes.

Mumbai is a significant location for Maersk Line, as evidenced by the incident involving the container ship Mumbai Maersk.

The Mumbai Maersk ran aground near the Port of Bremerhaven in Germany on 2 February 2022.

A first attempt to tow the ship into deeper water using two multi-purpose vessels and five tugboats failed.

The ship was eventually refloated on 4 February with the help of eight tugboats.

A vessel assessment was done when the Mumbai Maersk arrived at the Port of Bremerhaven.

Hangzhou

Maersk Hangzhou is a significant hub for the company's operations.

On 31 December 2023, Houthis attacked Maersk Hangzhou from smaller ships while traversing the Red Sea. The vessel was defended by a private security team aboard.

Shots were fired at the Maersk Hangzhou, and boarding attempts were made. The U.S. ships responded to Maersk Hangzhou's distress call.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its helicopters, along with destroyer USS Gravely, were part of Operation Prosperity Guardian.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many containers does Maersk have?

Maersk ships can transport over 18,000 containers at a time. This is a significant increase from the first container vessel, which had a much smaller capacity.

Who owns the Maersk line?

The majority owners of A.P. Moller - Maersk are the Møller family and the Moller Foundation, which have maintained a positive impact on society since 1953.

Kristin Waelchi

Senior Writer

Kristin Waelchi is a skilled writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in research and analysis, she brings a unique perspective to her writing, delving deep into complex topics and shedding light on the intricacies of the world around us. Kristin's expertise lies in crafting engaging articles that inform and educate readers on a wide range of subjects, including industrial facilities.

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