WATCH: Malta’s Freeport Welcomes One Of The World’s Largest Containerships For The First Time
Malta’s Freeport welcomed in CMA CGM Jean Mermoz on Thursday. The vessel is heralded as one of the world’s largest containerships, capable of carrying up to 20,954 20-foot-equivalent containers.
Built in 2018 by Hanjin HIC PHIL INC and sailing under the Maltese Flag, the containership is currently deployed on the French CMA CGM Group’s FAL3 service, which connects Northern Europe to Asia.
The vessel, which will be calling regularly at the Freeport, berthed at Terminal One North Quay with five quayside cranes deployed to operate the vessel in the shortest possible time.
The vessel’s visit was possible due to the recent investments the Freeport has made in its infrastructure, equipment, manpower and technology to retain a competitive edge in a cutthroat market.
Freeport CEO Alex Montebello said of the ship’s arrival: “We are honoured to welcome this vessel at our facilities. This is an important milestone for the Freeport as it shows we’re in an unrivalled position to operate vessels of this magnitude and larger as a result of the €300 million investment in the facilities since privatisation in 2004.
“With bigger vessels discharging and loading more containers on each call, investment is
crucial to remain competitive. The Freeport can today handle the world’s largest container vessels simultaneously on both terminals and turn them around with maximum efficiency.”