UPDATE 2-Maersk to buy 18 container ships from Hyundai Heavy

(Adds Maersk comment, analyst)

COPENHAGEN, June 24 (Reuters) - A.P. Moller-Maersk (MAERSKb.CO), operator of the world's largest container shipping line, said it would buy 18 new ships from South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (009540.KS) on Tuesday for delivery in 2011 and 2012.

The Danish shipping and oil group said the container ships would each have a capacity of 4,500 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) and be delivered in 2011 and 2012.

"The most relevant thing is that 18 ships of this size represent a rather significant investment," Michel Deleuran, Maersk Line's Head of Network and Product told Reuters.

"This is a reflection of the commitment we have to build new ships and that we can defend the strong position we have in individual markets," he said.

Deleuran declined to give an order value.

Earlier this month, industry publication Tradewinds reported that Maersk was close to ordering the ships and put a value on each vessel of about $91 million, which would put the total at more than $1.6 billion.

Maersk said each vessel would be equipped with a waste heat recovery system to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

"(The order) is quite natural because you need a capacity that grows with the market over time and Maersk's order books (of new ships) were on the low side," said Nordea analyst Finn Bjarke Petersen.