Maersk Line, the container shipping arm of the AP Moller-Maersk group, is expected to expand its fleet by May 1, according to Alphaline statistics.
This milestone, a jump from one million TEU in 2004, will be reached with the delivery of the 6,478-TEU Safmarine Kariba and the recovery of the 4,546-TEU Hijaz, previously named the Maersk Diadema, which was sublet to UASC over an 18-month period.
AXS-Alphaliner News reports the shipping line is making a comeback since its purchase of Royal P&O Nedlloyd, which was followed by a drop in Maersk's share of the global container shipping market from 18.2 per cent to 16 per cent.
During the first four months of 2008, its operational fleet grew by 6.3 per cent, enabling it to claw back market share, which grew during that period from 16 per cent to 16.3 per cent.
Between January and April, Maersk Line and sister company Safmarine took delivery of 20 newbuildings owned or on long-term charter for a total carrying capacity of 113,000 TEU. Maersk is also said to be refusing now to sublet any other vessels or renew charters.
During the first four months of the year, the shipping line either chartered in or extended the charter period on 40 ships. It also exercised ten options at advantageous rates, half of them in the 2,500-4,500 TEU range, the report said.
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