MLL says the purchase of the 6,200-teu Maersk Kuantan, Maersk Kendal, MaerskKariba Maersk Kwangyang, Maersk Kushiro, Maersk Komati, Maersk Kelso, andMaersk Kowloon (all built 2007) represents an investment of "approximately halfa billion dollars".

A leading sale-and-purchase broker and theVesselsValue.com database believe similar vessels are worth around $35m,which implies a collective market value of roughly $280m in today’s second-handmarket.

The ships have beenrenamed Maersk Atlanta, Maersk Chicago, Maersk Columbus, Maersk Denver, MaerskDetroit, Maersk Hartford, Maersk Memphis, and Maersk Pittsburgh, according to astatement.

When