The world’s largest container ship, the 19,224 teu MSC Oscar, has made its first call at Felixstowe.
The vessel was named after the son of Diego Aponte, president and chief executive officer of MSC. It cost $140 million, is 395 metres long, 59 metres wide with a draft of 16 metres. It now services the Albatross string on the new East-West trade routes between Asia and Europe.
It was launched in January at Daewoo’s Shipbuilding and Maritime Engineering Shipyard in South Korea, and is the first in its class. It will be followed by an additional 18 vessels in the same class during 2015-2016.
Dan Everitt, managing director of MSC UK, said: “The introduction of this fantastic new vessel complements our recently announced, newly enhanced East-West services to our customers. Delivering increased weekly sailings, more direct port pairs, improved efficiencies and strong relationships with our terminal partners, our services have been developed in line with our aspirations to deliver the ultimate customer experience and are delivered by our dedicated, local UK based teams. We are confident that our improved fleet and personal service, together with the great partnership we share with the Port of Felixstowe, will continue to help us to improve our shipping services for the UK market in the future.”
The vessel is fitted with a low fuel consumption diesel engine which gives better environmental performance, and has a double hull structure for additional strength and resistance for heavy cargo loads.
