Danish container shipping giant Maersk Line sent a total of seven Panamax vessels to ship recycling yards during the first quarter of this year.

Four of these boxships, between 19 and 21 years old, were sent to China. They are being recycled by Jiangyin Xiagang Changjiang Ship Recycling, a representative from Maersk told World Maritime News.

Jiangyin Xiagang Changjiang is a Lloyd's Register certified facility which has agreed to full compliance with the Maersk Responsible Ship Recycling Standard (RSRS), according to Maersk.

The remaining three vessels, Sea Land Charger, Sea Land Eagle and Sea Land Racer, were sold to Alang, India, during 1Q 2017. They are being scrapped by Shree Ram and Y.S. Investments also in accordance with the company's RSRS.

"In Alang, we expect Georgia and Wyoming's dismantlement to be completed by the end of 2Q. So all in all, five Maersk Line vessels are currently being scrapped in Alang," Maersk representative added.

The demolition of the abovementioned ships comes in anticipation of 26 newbuildings that will be delivered to the company until the end of 2018. The company's order book consists of ten 2nd generation Triple-E, nine 15,226 TEU and seven 3,596teu boxships.