RICKMERS Maritime Trust, the Singapore-based unit trust, has chartered out two 3,450 TEU containerships to Denmark's Maersk Line for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 24 months, reported Lloyd's List.

Rickmers said that charter income would add US$5 million in revenue for the first year.

The two ships, Henry Rickmers and Richard Rickmers, formerly Ital Fastosa and Ital Festosa, will be chartered at a floating rate aligned to an index that Maersk and Rickmers Maritime Trust mutually agreed.

Last year, the Singaporean company achieved earnings of $23.5 million, down 15 per cent year on year. However, the result was impacted by a $20.8 million non-cash impairment charge on a vessel's value and goodwill taken in the fourth quarter.