A mammoth container ship the length of four Premier League football pitches made waves on its grand arrival in Dubai.
The HMM Gdansk docked in the emirate's flagship Jebel Ali Port on the return leg of its maiden international voyage between the Far East and Europe.
The Panama-flagged vessel, which was built this year, shares the record as the largest container ship in the world at a formidable 400-metres.
It also boasts an impressive capacity of 24,000 TEUs, twenty-foot equivalent container units.
The mega ship and its crew, led by Captain Hyungik Cho, were welcomed by port operators DP World and other officials.
______________
World's largest ships
-
Arrival of REV Ocean in Ålesund and Brattvåg. Photo by Lawrence Hislop -
HMM Gdansk is one of 12 super-sized ships which are part of a fleet constructed by the South Korean operator. Alamy -
The largest passenger ship in the world by gross tonnage, the cruise MS Symphony of the Seas is an impressive 362-metres long and weighs 228,000 tonnes. AFP -
The Seawise Giant (renamed Jahre Viking) was the world's largest tanker for years at 657,019 tonnes and a vast 457 metres. It was scrapped in 2010 after 30 years on the seas. Alamy -
The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier is the world's largest warship at 332 metres and 102,00 tonnes. Its huge runway allows dozens of planes and helicopters to take off and land. US Navy -
The QE2, a world famous ocean liner for decades, is believed to be the world's largest floating hotel. It is now moored in Dubai. AFP -
HMM Algeciras shares the record as the world's largest container ship with a number of sister vessels, including HMM Gdansk. AFP -
HMM Copenhagen is also part of the extensive fleet of vast container ships put into service this year. Alamy -
HMM Hamburg makes her maiden port call to DP World London Gateway port on the Essex side of the river Thames. -
2C4H7PA HMM Oslo docked at Southampton, England. Alamy -
HMM Rotterdam cruises through the River Thames.
______________
The visit of HMM Gdansk highlights its status as the region's leading gateway port on the busy Asia-Europe sea trade route.
"We are honoured to welcome HMM Gdansk and her crew, who are steadfastly plying the global shipping routes to keep essential trade flowing," said Mohammed Al Muallem, chief executive and managing director of DP World, UAE Region.
The landmark carrier made a suitably big impression as it made its way to the Emirates from DP World's London Gateway at the port before setting sail for Singapore, which will be the next port of call in an epic journey which started in Busan, South Korea on June 29.
The well-travelled ship has also made stops in Hong Kong, Hamburg, Rotterdam and Antwerp along the way.
Jebel Ali is one of the few ports on the Gulf that can accommodate mega vessels with the capability to handle ten at a time.
Mr Al Muallem said the port had been well-equipped to maintain operations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It’s something we could closely identify within DP World, especially as our teams kept critical supplies such as food and medicines moving smoothly through Jebel Ali during the recent lockdown.
"The port call by one of the largest container carriers is a testimonial to Jebel Ali’s true strength and capacity.
“Our early investment in digital technology and automation ensured we faced minimal disruption at Jebel Ali Port.
"We employ today’s frontline technologies like robotics, automation, Internet of Things, Big Data, virtual reality and cybersecurity to build and sustain our efficiencies. This has underpinned our capabilities as an essential economic service at a time when our customers need us most.”
HMM Gdansk is one of a fleet of 12 super-sized vessels being built by South Korean shipping operator HMM (previously known as Hyundai Merchant Marine) this year alone.
Eleven of the ships are already in service with HMM St Petersburg currently under construction.
