CSCL Globe Calls the Port of Zeebrugge

On her maiden voyage in the AEX1 service, China Shipping Container Lines’ containership CSCL Globe, currently the world’s largest container vessel, moored at Belgium's Port of Zeebrugge after embarking on its first voyage in China last December.

The CSCL Globe, which measures 400 meters in length and approximately 59 meters wide, features a maximum capacity of 19,100 TEUs. Lining the containers up in a row would result in a container chain of 115 kilometers. The continuously growing dimensions in shipping allow freight to be transported more economically. The CSCL Globe’s engine automatically adjusts fuel consumption based on the ship’s speed and sea conditions, which means that the ship should use a fifth less fuel per container than the vessels in the 10,000 TEU category.

Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in South Korea will deliver CSCL Globe’s four sister vessels in the course of the year.

According to the Port of Zeebrugge, the scaling up in the shipping industry causes ports and port terminals to adapt their water depth and their maneuvering capacity, as well as an adjusted port infrastructure.

Noting many evolutions over the last couple of years, the port has invested in the maritime accessibility and adapted the container quay infrastructure for the new dimensions of the vessels. “At the Albert II dock in the outer port of Zeebrugge, the world-class container facility of APMT Zeebrugge serves the needs of the highly demanding container sector,” said Joachim Coens, CEO of Port of Zeebrugge.

Carla Debart, MD of APM Terminals ZeebruggeNV confirmed that the terminal is ready for this mega size vessels: “Nautically, we do have the access and necessary depth; technically, the equipment is ready but even more important, the whole APMT-team is waiting to confirm – also for these ultra large vessels - the high productivity, flexibility and customer service for which our terminal has been well known already for many years.”

Coens added, “We are dedicated to the company China Shipping Terminal development, and the shipping line China Shipping Container Lines. The call of the CSCL Globe in Zeebrugge, in addition to the acquired share in the container terminal of Zeebrugge is a clear sign that we are together determined to develop the company’s hub strategy.”

Yu Zenggang Vice-President China Shipping Container Lines, said, “With the geographic advantage of being a deepwater port on the North Sea coast and an ideal berthing port on Sino-Europe routes, Port of Zeebrugge has served as an important hub linking the whole Europe continent since ancient days.  This maiden voyage in Zeebrugge will be an opportunity for China Shipping to continue our good relationship with European friends.  With the biggest seaborne trade platform in the world, we will continue providing high-quality and convenient logistic service to the international trade shippers in Europe.”