One of the world's largest vessel enters Freeport on maiden voyage

One of the world’s largest container vessels – and the biggest ever to visit Malta – has called at the Freeport on its maiden voyage.

Forming part of an exclusive club of megaships, the Munich Maersk stretches some four football pitches in length (399 metres) and spans a breadth of 58.6 metres. At full capacity, it can carry 20,568 TEU containers.

To service the vessel, Malta Freeport deployed four super-post Panamax Quayside Cranes that were acquired specifically to ensure that the facility can cater for the world’s largest megaships.

Malta Freeport Terminals CEO Alex Montebello said: “The container ship industry has been changing dramatically as shipping lines commission bigger and better vessels. The challenge for us has been to have the vision to change with them so we can remain at the forefront of a hugely competitive market.

“The Freeport left no stone unturned to modernise its facilities and equipment to ensure it can handle vessels of such magnitude. It has also increased its workforce, organised intensive training programmes for employees and implemented new work practices to raise performance levels and service standards to the highest possible level.