Success Stories

Large, Medium-Speed, Roll-on/Roll-off Ships (LMSR)

U.S. Marine Corps

Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) provided a wide range of services under this contract including crewing; development of specifications, and solicitation, award and subsequent management of dry-docking subcontracts. In addition, MLL managed organizational and intermediate level maintenance; procured repair parts, equipment and services; maintained Integrated Logistics Support data; managed regulatory inspections; managed the cost of husbanding agents, fuel, training, utility services and transportation. Our aggressive and efficient use of preventive maintenance and repair practices on the LMSR contract has resulted in a fleet operational availability exceeding 99.9%. MLL technical studies of deck-plate cost benefits, the use of silicone paint on ships’ hulls, and replacement of shaft shields saved repair costs and time. MLL transitioned these vessels on numerous occasions between Fully Operational Status (FOS), Reduced Operational Status (ROS), and Repair Availability (RAV). In the past three years of the LMSR contract, MLL conducted 27 ROS-to-FOS activations. MLL developed ROS plans, arranged long-term lay berthing agreements, secured upgrades for shore power, and provided all other necessary services to operate and maintain the vessels in all types of crewing and mission scenarios. MLL has operated LMSRs on behalf of MSC PM3 in the Mediterranean, Diego Garcia, Guam/Saipan, Europe, all three U.S. coasts, the Panama Canal, Australia, Korea, and Japan. We were particularly effective in managing port charges, especially tug services, saving $4.3 million in FY07.

Special Mission Ships

U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force

MLL provides personnel, operational and technical support for seven special mission vessels deployed to the Far East region of operations. These vessels have been supporting mission sponsors since 1984 and are valuable assets to the U.S. Department of Defense. Our highly-skilled mariners execute navigation, deck, engineering, galley and auxiliary services. The span of the services include managing maintenance and overhaul subcontracts, repair parts, equipment, services, regulatory inspections, husbanding agents and port costs, fuel, training, utility services and transportation. Many special mission vessels have been de-activated, stored and then re-activated under MLL’s supervision and management.

Fast Sealift Ships (FSS)

Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation)

MLL provides qualified ship officers and crews, operational and technical support afloat and ashore, equipment, tools, provisions and supplies, to operate, maintain and repair the eight vessels. We have strived and succeeded in negotiating competitive maintenance and repair rates favorable to our customer. These vessels are normally maintained in Reduced Operational Status (ROS) on the east and gulf coasts of the U.S. But, they can be fully activated within 96 hours to support military operations and exercises or to support national emergency requirements. MLL has transitioned the FSS from ROS to FOS and back to ROS for lay berth requirements, foul weather avoidance, and transits. Over the years, MLL successfully activated all ships on schedule and on budget. The FSS are normally kept in reduced operating status. MLL ensures that the activation of the ships is completed in a timely manner and in 2007 received an “exceptional” performance rating for its service.

Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS)

U.S. Marine Corps

Since 1983, MLL has handled all facets of these ships’ operation, maintenance and management, including the full spectrum of vessel life-cycle maintenance, limited technical inspection (lighterage), stowage modifications and operational oversight. MPS vessels made port calls in Japan as part of fleet exercises, typically to ports in Yokosuka, Sasebo and White Beach, Okinawa. During these port calls, MLL managed maintenance, repair and logistical support operations to ensure fleet readiness. These ships have been in active service in prepositioning support for the U.S. Department of Defense and have seen action in all major conflicts since the mid-1980s, delivering support wherever needed around the world. MLL’s active participation in OPERATION DESERT STORM helped validate the concept of prepositioning. MLL’s global presence facilitates rapid delivery of material and supplies and ensures quick contingency responses should the need arise. This is particularly important as the area of responsibility ranges from Diego Garcia to Guam, Saipan, the Mediterranean, the South Atlantic Ocean, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Ocean and the Persian Gulf.

Ammunition Prepositioning Ships

U.S. Army

For the past nine years, Maersk Line, Limited, (MLL) has provided Military Sealift Command with the vessels M/V LTC JOHN U.D. PAGE, and M/V SSG EDWARD A. CARTER on time charters to carry ammunition, explosives, vehicles and containerized cargo for the U.S. Army’s Prepositioning Program. We currently operate and maintain them to the highest standards of the American Bureau of Shipping and have been recognized by Military Sealift Command (MSC) for their fine performance.