Maersk Line has completed the reflagging under the US registry of ‘Maersk Illinois’, its newest multipurpose heavy-lift vessel. The ship is one of two sister vessels that Maersk Line acquired in September 2011 and which will sail for Maersk-Rickmers US Flag Project Carrier (Maersk-Rickmers), providing breakbulk and project cargo service for shippers requiring US-flagged service.

Maersk-Rickmers was jointly formed for this purpose by Maersk Line and Rickmers-Linie. ‘Maersk Illinois’ completed its maiden voyage in Mobile, Alabama, where its reflagging was performed. The 19,600DWT ship is 148 metres long and can carry 20,000 cubic metres of cargo.

With two onboard cargo cranes with a combined maximum lift of 480 tonnes, she is suited to handling of a wide variety of heavy and bulky cargo such as generators, locomotives, wind and gas turbines, hazardous materials and more. The vessel will make port calls on inducement around the globe. ‘Maersk Illinois’ loaded its first US flag impelled cargo immediately after the reflagging was completed on December 30 and set sail for Ghana with its new crew of US mariners from American Maritime Officers and Seafarers International Union.