Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) has completed the purchase of a 47,000 DWT product tanker to add to its US flag vessel fleet. The M/T MARCO, which will be reflagged as the MAERSK MICHIGAN in early September, is a 182-meter double hull medium-range tanker built in 2003. The ship will provide US government customers, such as the Defense Energy Support Center, with expanded petroleum transport capacity around the world.

"The addition of MAERSK MICHIGAN represents our commitment to expanding our US flag fleet and to providing US government customers with strategic tanker capacity where it is needed most," said Steve Carmel, MLL's Senior Vice President of Maritime Services. "We are also proud that the ship will add new jobs and capacity to the overall US flag fleet."

The ship is crewed in all licensed and unlicensed positions by the American Maritime Officers and Seafarers International Union, resulting in the creation of 19 new positions for US merchant mariners. "This vessel clearly and strongly reflects the company's commitment to both the American flag and US crews," said Seafarers International Union Executive Vice President Augie Tellez.