Port welcomes largest container capacity ship to dock in Melbourne: Further investment planned

MELBOURNE --The Port of Melbourne today welcomed CMA CGM Ural, the largest container ship by maximum capacity to call at the port. The 299 metre-long vessel is one of six currently deployed on the South-East Asia - Australia trade route, known as the 'AAX1'.

The 42-day round-trip from Malaysia sees the vessel calling at Singapore before making its way around Australia's south-west coast to Melbourne's Webb Dock for handling by terminal operator Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT). The return trip is via Sydney and Brisbane.

The vessel can carry up to 10,662 TEU, with containers stacked up to 12 high on-deck. This compares with 4,500 TEU carried by the average container ship currently calling at PoM.

Brendan Bourke, CEO Port of Melbourne, said arrival of CMA CGM Ural was an indicator of the durability of the Australia-Asia trade, despite the challenges presented by COVID19 and recent natural disasters.

Anthony Orgill, General Manager Asia ANZ Lines, ANL, said the event was significant for the shipping industry.

"By implementing larger container ships into our services, we can support clients operating between Australia, Southeast Asia and beyond," he said.

Tim Vancampen, CEO of VICT, said CMA CGM Ural brought further economies of scale to the Victorian shipping market and supply chain.

VICT was well-equipped, he said, to accommodate this class of vessel, ranging from 10,500-13,000 TEU, and planned to further invest in Port of Melbourne to accommodate the next generation of vessel, ranging from 15,000 to 18,000 TEU.

www.ictsi.com (ATI).