Maersk Line announced the lay up of eight 6,500 TEU (twenty- foot equivalent unit) vessels on Dec. The decision follows the recently announced changes in our Asia - Europe, Asia - Central America, and Transpacific service networks. This resulted in surplus vessel tonnage, which we will not redeploy in Maerdk’s service network. "In view of the market conditions, we have reached the point where laying up the eight vessels makes better economical sense than redeploying them. Freight rates remain under severe pressure, and in several corridors the rates do not fully cover our variable costs. Rate improvements are imperative for the industry to create a sustainable environment," said Michel Deleuran, Head of Network and Product in Maersk Line.