The 15,262 teu Maersk Honam is expected to be back in service in the second half of this year following one of the most ambitious ship repair procedures seen in commercial shipping this century.
The giant ship suffered a massive fire in March last year in the Arabian Sea, which killed five crewmembers. The blaze was one of the most high profile casualties in 2018.
Maersk officials have now revealed to Splash how they intend to get the ship back trading again.
The vessel, which has been in Dubai since last April, has been cut in two at Drydocks World Dubai.
The sound, 228.5 m long section from midship to stern will be transported aboard the Cosco heavylift vessel Xin Guan Hua to its original builder, Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, where it will be rebuilt. The heavylift vessel is expected to reach HHI’s yard in Ulsan in March.
The former forward section will be safely moored at Drydock World Dubai for continued removal of damaged containers and debris. Once cleaned, it will be recycled. Relevant recycling options in accordance with Maersk’s responsible ship recycling standard are currently being investigated and evaluated.
“The rebuilt vessel is expected to resume service again in the second half of 2019,” a spokesperson for Maersk told Splash.
Let’s hope for the memory of the lives lost they consider changing the name of the vessel.