Maersk said the Triple-Es are so named because they will set new standards for energy efficiency and environmental performance.
The ships have the possibility of carrying 18,270 TEUs, but the company said that "this is contingent upon a number of factors - such as new equipment in ports - being in place. As such the current actual capacity is a little under 18,000 TEUs."
With unique design features for slower speeds and maximum efficiency, Maersk said the ship will emit 50 percent less CO2 per container moved than the current average on the Asia-Europe route.
Guests at the ceremony included Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller’s other two daughters, Leise Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller and Kirsten Mærsk Mc-Kinney Olufsen, the Danish ambassador to Korea Peter Lysholt Hansen, members of the vessel crew, as well representatives from Maersk Line, Maersk Maritime Technology and the DSME shipyard.
The Triple-E is 400 meters long, 59 meters wide and 30.3 meters in depth.
Last month Hyundai Heavy Industries said it had won an order to build five 18,400-TEU containerships from China Shipping Container Lines.
It has been reported the CSCL ships will be 400 meters long, 58.6 metres wide and 30.5 meters in depth.
Maersk said on some parameters like nominal intake the CSCL vessels appear larger than the Triple-Es. On the parameters impacting vessel capabilities (deadweight) the Triple-Es are, however, larger and it considers these vessels the largest.
The longest ship ever built was the ultra-large crude tanker Seawise Giant.
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