Last exit to Europe
The “MSC Gülsun” has completed the European leg of its loop by calling at Rotterdam (the Netherlands). The 23,756 teu ULCV is currently the biggest container vessel on the seven seas, surpassing OOCL's “Hong Kong” (21,413 teu). The “MSC Gülsün” arrived from Gdansk (Poland), after having finished two loops in Bremerhaven (Germany).
Algeciras (Spain) was the first European port on the vessel’s journey. Passing the Suez Canal was a challenge due to the sheer size of the ship: with a length of much more than 400 m, the width of 62 m left little space for manoeuvre. It is the first vessel to have 24 rows of containers.
Hans Nagtegaal, director containers of the port of Rotterdam, told the ITJ that the Dutch port is fit "to receive container vessels of 30,000 teu and a draught of 20 m". In his eyes, Rotterdam and its terminals benefit from the growing size of the container vessels since the choice of ports is reduced. The “MSC Gülsün” was ordered with ten sister ships in 2017. The ship is now en route to Tanjun Pelepas in Malaysia. (cd)