First call of Maersk Edmonton at Sri Lanka’s East Container Terminal

Maersk Edmonton made its inaugural call at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority on April 5, 2024. The vessel, operating within the West Africa Xpress Service (WAX Service) of Maersk and CMA CGM, marked a significant milestone for Maersk as it was their first visit to the ECT. This visit also symbolized the start of a promising partnership between the Danish container giant and SLPA.

The launch of this new service was a result of collaboration between CMA CGM Sri Lanka and Maersk Lines, established during a delegation visit to Dubai led by Keith D. Bernard, chairman of SLPA. The main aim of the visit was to discuss strategies for attracting more vessels to the Port of Colombo.

Through this joint effort, Maersk’s deployment of the WAX Service to Colombo is expected to bring growth and prosperity to both parties. The container vessel Maersk Edmonton, built in 2011 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, currently sails under the flag of Denmark. It has an overall length of 366 meters, a capacity to carry 13,100 TEUs, and a gross tonnage of 141,716 tons.

At present, CMA CGM operates 13 vessels on the WAX Service, while Maersk Line contributes eight boxships to the service. This collaboration is set to enhance the connectivity and efficiency of shipping operations in the region, paving the way for future success and development for all parties involved.