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National
Photo: CMA CGM

World's biggest cargo ship docks in Hamburg

Published: 12 Dec 12 08:12 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20121212-46719.html

The biggest cargo ship in the world pulled into Hamburg harbour for the first time on Wednesday morning to unload 4,000 containers, signalling the beginning of regular visits for the giant vessel.

Stretching 396 metres long, the “CMA CGM Marco Polo”, arrived at 3:45 am in the northern German city to. Despite sub-zero temperatures, a die-hard group of onlookers, regional paper the Hamburger Morgenpost reported.

Although loaded with thousands of containers, the ship was not full. If it were, it would skim the bottom of the city's harbour. But if the hotly debated deepening of the Elbe River goes ahead, the Marco Polo would be able to arrive in Hamburg bearing all 16,020 containers.

With 110,000 horse-power and a travelling power of 21 knots, the ship creates enough energy for a town of 16,000 residents.

Despite its strength, the Marco Polo had to be pulled into the harbour and depending on how windy it is, up to four tug boats could be needed for this in the future.

The arrival was the first of many expected for the 54-metre-wide ship, which requires two spots in the quay and flies a British flag.

The Local/jcw

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

10:03 December 12, 2012 by smart2012
now u see why China is doing so well.. all those containers full of products come from there. I thought Germany liked German quality....
10:25 December 12, 2012 by raandy
These big ships like the Emma Maersk can go from the USA west coast to China in 4 days(31knots cruising speed) mainly because it is practically empty going butt on the return to the USA it has a full 15,000 containers all for Walmart .

I assume it is similar here in Europe as Europe is Chinas biggest trading partner.
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