Rotterdam handles 70 mega-containerships in first half

THE Port of Rotterdam in the first six months of the year handled 70 containerships in the 10,000 to 15,000 TEU range, representing a third more calls compared to the 52 calls handled in the first half of 2009.

The largest call ever in Rotterdam was made in early April when one of the ultra large container carriers loaded and unloaded 8,053 TEU, far more than the average of 4,650 TEU per vessel.

Most calls were made by Maersk ships with 22 arrivals, followed by CMA CGM with 15, Hanjin with 13, Cosco with 11 and MSC with nine.

Port authorities expect the number of calls made by mega ships to keep rising. From June-September, at least 10 more very large vessels will be delivered to MSC, Maersk Line and CMA CGM. Most of the ships will be deployed on a new joint Far East service operated by Maersk Line and CMA CGM, which docks at Rotterdam August 8 for the first time.
(Source:www.schednet.com)