The Rt. Hon. John Prescott, MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, will meet British Merchant Navy Cadets on GOSPORT MAERSK - the latest UK registered container vessel to join the fleet of The Maersk Company Limited - at a naming ceremony in Felixstowe on 30 June, 2000.


Mrs Pauline Prescott, wife of the Deputy Prime Minister, will perform the naming ceremony which will be attended by Mr Jess Søderberg, Chief Executive Officer of the A.P. Moller/ Maersk Group of which The Maersk Company is the principal UK subsidiary.


GOSPORT MAERSK has a capacity of 4,300 TEU (container equivalent) and is part of a series of vessels with extra capacity to allow increased numbers of cadets to travel on board.


In keeping with its commitment to UK based operations, the Maersk Company currently employs more than 1000 British officers and crews on its vessels and is now engaged in a nation-wide recruitment campaign.


John Prescott, Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions said;


"I applaud Maersk for its commitment to the UK shipping industry which is demonstrated by the company's increased tonnage on the UK register, and its training and employment of British crews.


I look forward to Maersk's continuing expansion, with the vote of confidence that it represents for UK shipping and seafarers."


Mr Jess Søderberg, Chief Executive Officer of the A. P. Moller/ Maersk Group of companies said,


"I am very pleased to be in the United Kingdom, where the Maersk Company has a strong and ever increasing presence and an excellent track record"


The Maersk company recently took delivery of its 48th British registered vessel flying the red ensign putting the total tonnage owned by the Maersk Company and registered in the UK to over one million tonnes.


Speaking of this landmark achievement, Mr Søderberg said,


"We hope that this continued expansion shows the commitment we have to the British maritime industry. The Maersk Company is extremely proud to be one of the largest British owners of UK registered vessels and thus able to continue to offer opportunities for employment and training to expanding numbers of British seafarers."


As part of this further expansion, The Maersk Company Limited will recruit some 80 cadets this year from throughout the UK into the scheme to train as officers in a variety of disciplines. A recruitment team, targeting school leavers and young people, has been touring areas with maritime traditions.


The Maersk Company is winner of the 1999 Lloyd's Register award for outstanding and consistent contribution to training within the maritime industry, and currently operates a fleet of 49 UK registered vessels manned by British Officers.



Notice to Editors:
Maersk Shipping and Marine Division is part of The Maersk Company Limited, a large shipowner and a significant transportation operator making it a major force in the UK Shipping, Logistics, Liner and Oil and Gas industries. The Maersk Company is part of the A. P. Moller Group.


The Shipping and Marine division is responsible for the operation and manning of a diverse and modern fleet trading all over the world, including product carriers, gas carriers, floating production units, container, supply and multi-purpose support vessels. These vessels primarily fly the Red Ensign and are manned almost exclusively by British officers. Emphasis is on quality and safety, assured by trained and motivated personnel supported by a dedicated shoreside organisation in order to provide service and value for money that is "second to none".


For Further Information contact:


Mr Robert Drummond
CEO, Shipping and Marine Division


Telephone: +44 (0)20 7712 5006
Fax: +44 (0)20 7712 5059


Website: www.maersk.co.uk
www.maersksealand.com


Issued by The Maersk Company Limited
30 June 2000