The project cargo specialist has picked up the 19,500-dwt Maersk Illinois and the Maersk Texas (both built 2011).

The duo were deemed surplus to requirements after MLL and Rickmers-Linie (Americas) ended their joint venture in the US-flag heavylift market.

The Danish and German shipowners said they had “mutually agreed to discontinue their joint venture, Maersk-Rickmers US Flag Project Carrier”

The two ships, each of which has a combined maximum lift of 480t, have been renamed the Thorco Isabella and Thorco Isadora.

Further