MUNICH MAERSK sets new record in Hamburg
The largest-ever containership to dock in the Port of Hamburg made history on August 5. With a maximum capacity of 20,568 TEUs, the MUNICH MAERSK beat the previous record set in May this year by the MOL TRIUMPH at 20,170 TEUs. These 20,000-TEU giants are known as the second-generation “Triple E” Class containerships, with the three “Es” standing for efficiency, economies of scale and environment. Around 50 of these 20,000-TEU vessels have been ordered or are already under construction at Asian shipyards. They will replace older tonnage on the East-West routes because these giants of the seas are simply more efficient to run, offer improved economies of scale and are more environmentally friendly. When the record-breaking MUNICH MAERSK moored at Hamburg’s Eurogate Terminal, she was not fully laden, having carried 4,454 containers up the River Elbe. In Hamburg she unloaded 2,447 containers and took on another 1,495. Fully laden, the ship’s draught would be too much for the Elbe where Hamburg Port Authority and local politicians are fighting a legal battle to have the river dredged deeper. The MUNICH MAERSK called in at Hamburg on its maiden voyage, which had begun in Busan in South Korea in late June. Prior to Hamburg, the ship had visited Bremerhaven on August 3 and on departing from Hamburg on August 6 she sailed to Gothenburg where she is currently moored (August 8). Ship-spotters can enjoy a sighting of the MUNICH MAERSK at Arhus, Southampton, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven before she leaves Europe for ports in Asia in mid-August.
