World’s largest container ship starts Maiden Voyage

19,100 TEU CSCL Globe, the world’s largest container ship and the first in a series of five same-sized ships ordered by China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) in May 2013, last week embarked on
its maiden voyage from Tianjin Port, China. Measuring 400.0 m in length, 58.6 m in width and 30.5 m in depth, the vessel is as large as four soccer fields, and will be deployed on the Asia-Europe trade loop.

 “The maiden voyage of CSCL Globe marks Chinese shipping industry making a step toward the international stage,” said Xu Lirong, chairman of China Shipping (Group) Co. The CSCL Globe will feature a 77,200 bhp electronically controlled main engine to enhance fuel efficiency by automatically controlling fuel consumption depending on the ship’s speed and sea conditions, according to the the ship’s builder, South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries.

With the installation of the high efficiency engine, the container ship will burn 20 percent less fuel per TEU in comparison with the 10,000 TEU containerships.