That’s a lot of ship! World’s biggest container vessel HMM Algeciras – measuring 1,312ft in length and 200ft in width – arrives in the UK for the first time after port authority spent SIX MONTHS months preparing for its arrival
- HMM Algeciras arrived in Essex from China via South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium
- The Port of London Authority modelled its arrival on a simulator to ensure it could be carried out safely
- It is delivering goods at DP World London Gateway in Thurrock before carrying exports on her return journey
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The world’s biggest container ship has arrived in the UK for the first time after concluding its journey from China to Essex.
HMM Algeciras travelled via South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
Preparations for the ship’s arrival began more than six months ago with the Port of London Authority modelling its arrival on a simulator to ensure it could be carried out safely.
The world’s biggest container ship HMM Algeciras has arrived in the UK for the first time after concluding its journey from China to Essex
The 1,312 feet long and 200 feet wide ship is delivering a variety of goods at DP World London Gateway in Thurrock.
HMM Algeciras will depart tomorrow, carrying UK exports on her return journey to China via Singapore.
Peter Livey, managing director for Britain at shipping company HMM, which owns the vessel, described its maiden voyage as a ‘major milestone’.
He said: ‘Ships of this size give us the capacity and flexibility to get our customers’ goods to the right place at the right time.’
DP World UK chief executive Ernst Schulze said the commitment of his staff has been ‘critical’ to London Gateway remaining open throughout the coronavirus lockdown.
It travelled at a maximum speed of 12.9 knots and an average speed of 10.9 knots. It has a gross tonnage of 228283.
This extra-large vessel can store 24 transverse rows of 24 containers and stands at 109 feet high.
DP World UK tweeted: ‘This weekend DPWLG prepares for the arrival of HMM Algeciras. At 23,964 TEU she is the largest container vessel in the World.
‘Vessel size has increased faster and more comprehensively than imagined.’
TEU is a unit measured by 20-foot containers. The ship was built this year and is currently travelling under the flag of Panama.
People line the sea wall to watch as HMM Algeciras passes Canvey Island as she heads to DP World London Gateway port in Tilbury, Essex
This extra-large vessel can store 24 transverse rows of 24 containers and has a maximum capacity of 23,964 TEU
HMM Algeciras will depart later from Essex today, carrying UK exports on her return journey to China via Singapore
It travelled via South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium and is delivering a variety of goods at DP World London Gateway in Thurrock
The Port of London Authority modelled the ship’s arrival on a simulator to ensure it could be carried out safely
Two people watch HMM Algeciras from the beach as it passes Canvey Island while one takes a picture on his phone
The ship was built this year and is currently travelling under the flag of Panama. It’s maiden voyage has been described as a ‘major milestone’
The ship could be seen sailing past Southend-on-Sea pier on the river Thames before docking at DP World London Gateway
The HMM Algeciras went via Hamburg in Germany on June 10 on its journey from China to England where it arrived today
Two people sit on the rocks near the sea as container vessel HMM Algeciras approaches the port of Rotterdam on June 3