The world's largest containership begins its maiden voyage
The Marco Polo, owned by the CMA CGM Group, begun its maiden voyage on Wednesday, November 7th, leaving from Ningbo, China.
The new 16 000 TEU vessel, owned by CMA CGM, sails under the UK flag. Built by DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering) in South Korea, the giant of the seas displays exceptional dimensions: 396 meters long, 54 meters wide, with a draft of 16 meters. The first of a series of three 16 000 TEU vessels a further two vessels are expected to be delivered in 2013, and all three will be named after great explorers.
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Operated on the emblematic line of the Group, the French Asia Line, the Marco Polo will call at Ningbo Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Tanger, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Malta, Khor Al Fakkan, Jebel Ali and Ningbo.
Part of a global network of 8 CMA CGM services connecting Asia to Europe Atlantic, the FAL1 operates the largest vessels of the CMA CGM fleet and offers its customers a fixed-day, weekly connection between Central and South China, the main exporting zones of the country, and Northern Europe. The direct service to Southampton and to Hamburg offers European importers the fastest transit times of the market.
