World's Largest Containership Makes Its First Call in Europe

MarineLink June 4, 2020

HMM Algeciras made its first European stop in the Port of Rotterdam this week. (Photo: Port of Rotterdam)

The world's largest containership HMM Algeciras made its first European port call this week, entering Rotterdam’s Amaliahaven Wednesday on its maiden voyage to transfer containers at the Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) terminal.

The most recent vessel to hold the world’s largest containership crown, HMM Algeciras at maximum capacity carries slightly more 20-foot containers than its predecessor MSC Gülsün: 23,964 TEU versus 23,756 TEU. During its maiden voyage, HMM Algeciras is carrying a total of 19,621 TEU on board – itself a record number.

The Panamanian-flagged vessel was built at Daewoo Shipping & Marine Engineering’s Okpo shipyard. It is some 400 meters long and 61 meters wide.

The ship traveled to Rotterdam via the Suez Canal from the Chinese port of Yantian and will be departing for Hamburg on June 6, at 5 a.m.

HMM Algeciras is deployed on Far East Europe 4 (FE4) service, one of the Asia-North Europe trade lanes of THE Alliance, with its port rotation starting at Qingdao, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Suez Canal, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, London Gateway, then Singapore via Suez Canal.

Allard Castelein, CEO, Rotterdam Port Authority, said, "We give a warm welcome to HMM Algiceras in port of Rotterdam. Given its 20 meter depth, Europe’s biggest container port is excellently conditioned to receive these very large vessels. This makes port of Rotterdam well positioned for upscaling in container shipping.

HMM is the new name for South Korean ship-owner Hyundai Merchant Marine, the ninth-largest container shipping line worldwide. The company has ordered another 11 24,000-TEU class vessels, currently being built by DSME and Samsung Heavy Industries and scheduled for delivery this year.

Bae Jae-hoon, President and CEO of HMM, said, “The debut of HMM Algeciras in Europe and its maiden call at the Port of Rotterdam has enormous symbolic significance. I believe 24K-class vessels will serve as a bridge to ensure a mutual partnership.”