World’s Largest Containership Departs China with Record Load

Photo courtesy HMM

The world’s largest containership has departed China carrying a record 19,621 TEUs. 

South Korean shipping line HMM said its new HMM Algeciras departed the Port of Yantian on May 8 bound for Rotterdam with 19,621 TEUs loaded on board.

HMM Algeciras, currently on its maiden voyage, is the first of twelve 24,000 TEU-class containerships under construction for HMM. The vessel measures 399.9 meters long by 61 meters wide and has a nominal TEU capacity of 23,964, earning it the title of the world’s largest containership.

The previous record for most containers loaded was the MSC Gulsun, which departed the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia with 19,574 TEUs in August 2019.

HMM Algeciras was ordered in September 2018 as part an order for twelve ultra-large containerships split among DSME and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) building seven and five vessels each, respectively. All are due for delivery this year. Another eight ships of 16,000 TEU ships were also ordered from Hyundai Heavy Industries and are due for delivery in the first half of 2021. 

Delivery of the vessels comes at a less-than-ideal time as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact global trade.

“For me, it is very meaningful that HMM takes delivery of the most technologically advanced container in this difficult time. I wold like to celebrate it and hope that HMM continues to secure a competitive advantage as a Korean national flagship carrier,” said South Korean President Moon Jae-in during last month’s launching ceremony for the HMM Algeciras. 

HMM joined The Alliance as a full-time member starting April 1, 2020. Other members in the alliance include Ocean Network Express (ONE), Hapag-Lloyd and Yang Ming.

Updated: May 13, 2020 (Originally published May 11, 2020)

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