MV Edith Maersk Becomes Largest Ship to Navigate the River Thames – Photos and Video

MV Edith Maersk berthed at London Gateway. Photo courtesy London Port Authority

The 15,500 TEU containership Edith Maersk became the largest ship to navigate up the River Thames this weekend during a call at DP World’s new London Gateway.

Maersk’s E-Class ship arrived at the port early Sunday from the Far East and was scheduled for cargo operations and a quick turnaround back to Singapore late last night.

Edith Maersk measures 397 meter long (1,300 feet) by 56 meters wide (180 feet) and is the second largest containership in the world (by length) next to Maersk’s Triple-E class.

DP World’s $2.4 billion London Gateway deepwater port complex opened in November 2013 with the arrival of the 4,500 TEU MOL Caledon and the port has been attracting bigger and bigger ships ever since. The facility is equipped to handle Maersk’s 18,000 TEU, 400 meter long Triple-E class containerships so Edith Maersk’s record setting port call is not likely to last long.

Here’s some of the footage of Edith Maersk being shared on social media:

Edith Maersk, largest ever ship to sail up the Thames, arriving early Sunday. Ship is 4 x longer than a football pitch. Can carry 15k boxes

— London Gateway (@LondonGatewayUK) October 18, 2014

In the gloom of #thames early morning Edith Maersk heading for @LondonGatewayUK @Maersk pic.twitter.com/DxJtRbecWb — LondonPortAuthority (@LondonPortAuth) October 19, 2014

@LondonPortAuth @LondonGatewayUK @MaerskLine Edith Maersk Berths at London Gateway. Largest ship ever in the Thames. pic.twitter.com/2sJieYPVUt — Andrew Bowen (@andrewjbowen) October 19, 2014

All lit up @LondonGatewayUK ready 2 welcome Edith @MaerskLine 15,500 TEU container ship @andrewjbowen #thames biggest pic.twitter.com/iNlRNvodIK
— LondonPortAuthority (@LondonPortAuth) October 19, 2014

Edith Maersk – Biggest ship ever on the Thames as seen from up on the biggest crane in the country @LondonGatewayUKpic.twitter.com/X2qIhSQDDf

— On The Thames (@ThamesPics) October 19, 2014

@LondonPortAuth @LondonGatewayUK Flew by today, she’s enormous! pic.twitter.com/g4OYCo8kb6 — Vic Abbott (@WickerBoat) October 19, 2014

VIDEOS: