Volvo Ocean Race- Camper sails for Europe with Maersk

by Warren Douglas on 20 Jul 2011
CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand’s Volvo 70 yacht slipped out of Auckland before dawn on Tuesday bound for Europe aboard the container ship Maersk Dabou.

CAMPER will be trans-shipped at Petjung Peletas, Malaysia, to the Skagen Maersk at for the 8329 mile voyage to Felixstowe in the United Kingdom.

Maersk Line is an exclusive supplier to Emirates Team New Zealand, supporting the team’s needs for both the Volvo Ocean Race and the America’s Cup.

The team’s twin shore bases, which consists of four 40ft foot shipping containers and a large sail loft tent itself in each set - will leap-frog around the world to the nine ports of call during the race.

Grant Dalton, managing director of Emirates Team New Zealand: 'Maersk Line have been part of our the team since 2005, and I cannot explain how crucial they are to ensuring the success of our offshore operations. We now have a fleet of yachts involved in regattas around the world, from the America’s Cup, to the Extreme 40’s and now the Volvo Ocean Race. Alongside the boats, we need to ship various support assets such as ribs, and workshops that will manage the boats during competition. Maersk is our lifeline in ensuring we can compete on a world stage.'

Maersk Line is the core liner shipping business of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group, and the leading container shipping company in the world. The Maersk Line fleet comprises more than 500 vessels and a number of containers corresponding to more than 1,900,000 TEU (Twenty foot Equivalent Unit - a container 20 feet long). This ensures a reliable and comprehensive coverage worldwide.

CAMPER is due to arrive in the UK in late August where she will be commissioned ahead of further sail testing before the start of the race on November 5th in Alicante Spain.