In another record-setting development for mega-mass sea freight, Evergreen Marine has successfully commenced the maiden voyage of the world’s biggest ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) – the Ever Ace.
At 400 metres long and 62 metres wide, the ULCV is 63 metres longer than another impressive behemoth, the 337-metre Gerald R Ford-class aircraft carrier.
Boasting a TEU capacity of 23 992, its load could stretch about 136 kilometres if the boxes were lined up end to end.
Its loading berth at the Port of Yantian two days ago also made industry headlines as the Ace’s container exchange of 8 200 set a new record for a maiden voyage at the port, World Cargo news said.
Furthermore, the Ace is the first of ten 24 000-TEU ULCVs ordered by Evergreen.
It will be followed by three sister vessels later this year – the Ever Act, Ever Aim, and Ever Alp.
Currently in the Malacca Strait, the Ace is heading for the Port of Rotterdam where it is expected in 23 days’ time.
It’s going to be interesting to see how its voyage through the Suez Canal is navigated.
Earlier this year another Evergreen ULCV, the Ever Given, got stuck in the southern channel of the Suez, after which it was seized by canal authorities in a protracted legal imbroglio over the incident that brought supply chain through the water course to a standstill for six days.
