Denmark’s Maersk Line does not intend to declare its second option for 10 18,000-teu ships in its series of huge newbuildings at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea.

The company signed up for another 10 18,000–teu giants in Tokyo Monday, bringing its order at the South Korean shipbuilder to 20 vessels worth $3.8bn following the original deal in February.

But it said the option for the last 10 ends at the close of 2011 and it will let the vessels lapse.

However, it did say no final decision would be made until the deadline, keeping a slight window open if its view of the market changed in that time.

Eivind Kolding, CEO of Maersk Line, said: “I am very excited to have signed a contract with Daewoo for 10 more Triple-E ships.

“They underline our strong commitment to the Asia-Europe trade and fit well with our current ambitions and expectations for the future development of the trade.”

Maersk expects demand on the Asia to Europe trade to increase 5-8% per year to 2015.

The first 10 vessels will be delivered 2013 and 2014. The second 10 are scheduled for delivery in 2014 and 2015.