Maersk-Chicago

About three hours after Iranian forces captured the Swedish tanker S"tena Impero" on July 19, 2019, the United States chose to send the "Maersk Chicago", owned by Maersk's US subsidiary Maersk Line Limited and sailing under the US flag, through the Hormuz Strait to confirm the right to free navigation through the Hormuz Strait. The "Maersk Chicago" was not left to itself, several drones and American aircraft escorted the ship to ensure that the Iranians did not interfere with the voyage from Jebel Ali to Qasim, ETA July 23..

US based Maersk Line, Limited (MLL), part of Maersk Group, has invested US$1bn in eight newer and larger containerships to upgrade its ocean transportation services provided to its US military, government and commercial customers. MLL says its new vessels, Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Hartford, Memphis and Pittsburgh, will improve the quality of service to the Middle East and Mediterranean Sea from the US East Coast. 'Maersk Chicago' was the first reflagged ship of the eight vessels. All eight vessels, which are around 10 years younger than the outgoing ships, will join the Maritime Security Programme (MSP) and Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA).