Maersk Line has confirmed that Hyundai Heavy Industries will rebuild the fire-damaged, 15,262-teu containership Maersk Honam (built 2017).
The vessel, which suffered a huge fire off Oman in March 2018, has already been cut into two parts at the Drydock World Dubai in the UAE.
Next month the sound part of the vessel will be transported on a heavy-lift vessel to South Korea, where it will be rebuilt.
The sound, 228.5-metre-long section from midship to stern, will be transported aboard the Cosco Shipping Heavy Transport’s heavy-lift vessel Xin Guang Hua (built 2016). It is due to arrive in South in March 2019.
“At the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard, the sound section of Maersk Honam will be rebuilt with a new forward section,” Maersk Line said.
TradeWinds reported last August that the ship would undergo a rebuild rather than be scrapped, with the repair bill to return the vessel to operations put at in excess of $30m.
The decision to rebuild the ship was taken after a damage assessment revealed the engine room, and main propulsion and machinery components remained intact.
Five of the crew onboard the Maersk Honam died in the incident, yet the unique design of the ship may have played a significant role in preventing the spread of the fire.
Maersk Line said the rebuilt vessel is expected to resume service again in the "second half of 2019".
The former forward section will remain at Drydock World Dubai for continued removal of damaged containers and debris.
Once cleaned, Maersk said it will be recycled and that the "relevant recycling options" were currently being investigated and evaluated.
