Maersk takes 19th shallow, broad of beam 4,496-TEU WAFmax feeder vessel

DANISH shipping giant Maersk has received its 19th WAFmax class of 22 vessels from Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho, which were ordered in June and September 2008 for the West Africa trades.

The 4,496-TEU Maersk Copenhagen is to be deployed on the Far East-West Africa FEW 2 loop and will join the Maersk Colombo delivered back in June. Since June 2011, nine have been in operation on the FEW 2. Another 11 vessels will be put into operation this year on a similar route. The last two will come into operation in 2013.

The WAFmax (West African Max) is broad of beam, having 15 containers across, offering shallow draft for the same load. These ships are fitted with four deck cranes and cruise at 21.5 knots using six cylinder MAN-B&W diesel engines.

"The WAFmax has improved both efficiency and reliability because it was custom designed to operate more efficiently in shallow West African ports. The capacity and fuel efficiency of these vessels means we're able to move more cargo for more customers and with fewer ships," said Maersk Line director Sonny Dahl in a company statement.