American Maritime Officers And Seafarers International Union News

Maersk Line, Limited Brings the First of Two Project Cargo Ships Under the U.S. Flag. Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) completed the reflagging under U.S. registry of the MAERSK ILLINOIS, its newest multipurpose heavy-lift vessel. The ship is one of two sister vessels that MLL acquired in September 2011 and which will sail for Maersk-Rickmers U.S. Flag Project Carrier (Maersk-Rickmers), providing breakbulk and project cargo service for shippers requiring U.S. flag service. Maersk-Rickmers was jointly formed for this purpose by MLL and Rickmers-Linie (America).

Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) has completed the purchase of two flag general cargo and roll-on/roll-off combination ships, formerly employed under long-term charter to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC). In early 2008, Military Sealift Command elected to end the charter for the M/V PFC WILLIAM B BAUGH and M/V PVT FRANKLIN J PHILLIPS and redeliver them to their private owners, who then offered them for sale. The ships are 755 feet long and feature six onboard cargo cranes, two side ports and a stern ramp which allow handling of a wide variety of cargo. MLL has operated and managed them in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Prepositioning Program since they entered service in 1984.