The world's largest container ship, the 19,000 TEU CSCL Globe, has made its maiden call at the Port of Felixstowe - its first port of call in Europe.
The ship is operated by China Shipping Container Line on its AEX1 (Asia-Europe Express) service.
Commenting on the call, Zhang Zhendong, MD of China Shipping (UK) Agency, said: 'The CSCL Globe is the largest ship ever to be operated by China Shipping, and the first of five similar-sized vessels we will be introducing into our Asia Europe Express service this year.
'The Port of Felixstowe has been our UK port of call since we first began the service 16 years ago. It has grown with us and continues to be the best location from which to serve the crucially important UK market.'
Clemence Cheng, CEO of the Port of Felixstowe, added: 'We are delighted that China Shipping has chosen Felixstowe as CSCL Globe's first port of call in Europe. Our relationship with China Shipping dates back to 1999 when their first vessel called at Felixstowe, and we are honoured that they continue to make Felixstowe their UK port of call. We are the major gateway for trade between the UK and China and the CSCL Globe is a magnificent testimony to the importance of the Europe to Asia trade.'
The CSCL Globe was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. At 400 metres long, the vessel is the length of four football pitches, and weighs as much as 14,500 London buses.
The Port of Felixstowe is the largest container port in the UK. It benefits from being the closest UK container port to the main ports of Northern Europe and having direct marine access from the North Sea.
As well as the Port of Felixstowe, the CSCL Globe will call at Rotterdam, Hamburg, Zeebrugge, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian and Port Kelang.
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