Emma Maersk: Immediate Repairs Complete

Emma Maersk departed Port Said on Sunday
Image Credit: Maersk Line

Maersk Line says immediate repairs on the Emma Maersk have been completed according to schedule, and on Sunday morning, February 17, 2013, the vessel departed the Port Said terminal where she has been berthed since February 2, 2013, the company has confirmed.

After being towed to an as yet unnamed repair facility, Maersk Line says the full extent of damage to the engines will be assessed and the work of restoring her back to full health will begin - a task that may take some time.

Palle Laursen, Maersk Line's Head of Ship Management in Copenhagen, said in a statement on Friday: "We are delighted that Emma is on the route back towards full service. However, this only the beginning of a long journey - once she gets to the repair facility it will still be several months before repairs are completed."

"The efforts of the crew, the local Maersk Line, SCCT, and Svitzer organisations and the underwater repair teams should be fully recognised in enabling this. We also appreciate the full support of the Suez Canal Authority in making this happen so quickly," he added.

Emma Maersk has been out of action since a February 1, 2013 incident, initially reported as a mechanical issue, resulted in an ingress of water into the engine room.

Maersk Line say the exact cause of the incident is still being investigated, but has confirmed that the water came in through a breach in the stern thruster tunnel.

Despite the loss in capacity, the company says that the chartering of replacement tonnage has so far not been necessary, with the 9,660 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) 48Y-Butterfly to replace Emma Maersk on the AE10 Asia-Europe service until she is ready to re-enter service.