Maersk Line and heavylift specialist Rickmers-Linie have moved ahead the re-flagging and deployment of one of its two 19,000-tonne ships under the name Maersk-Rickmers US Flag Project Carrier.

Re-flagging under US registry of the Maersk Illinois was completed last month after a maiden voyage to Mobile, Alabama where it then loaded its first US cargo for Ghana with a new crew of American seafarers.

The 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, and can handle a wide variety of heavy and bulky cargo such as generators, locomotives, wind and gas turbines, hazardous materials and more.

"We are pleased to see this re-flagging process completed, allowing us to introduce our modern ship and bring new value to the US Flag Project cargo market," said Dave Harriss, Maersk Line's director of ship management and chartering.

It is looking forward to deploying the second vessel, the Maersk Texas, under the US flag fleet also, he said.