Maersk Line Retrofitted 137 Ships in 2013 For Fuel Efficiency

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Wednesday April 9, 2014

Maersk Line retrofitted 137 containerships last year, including half its owned fleet, to improve fuel efficiency, SeaTrade Global reports.

"We have always done retrofits but I think what is new in 2013 is we were beginning to bundle the retrofits," said Head of Sustainability Jacob Sterling.

"So you take the ship out of service and we do multiple retrofits."

Sterling said these "extreme makeovers" could include replacing the bulbous bow, elevating the navigation bridge, and modifying the engine room, adding up to a total efficiency gain of 15 to 20 percent, a comparable improvement to replacing the vessel with a new eco-ship.

"One of these big retrofits will typically cost between $5m - $10m, the pay back time is usually one to two years," he said.

Sixteen of the retrofitted vessels were on charter to Maersk Line, with the short payback time making it practical to improve the chartered vessels as well as owned ones.

Overall, Maersk Line has retrofitted about 200 of its 250 owned ships, and Sterling said ships may undergo a second round of retrofits as new technologies emerge.

Sterling said the retrofits contributed to the company's reduction in CO2 emissions in 2013.