The Marco Polo, the world’s largest container ship, is to berth at the Malta Freeport on Boxing Day.

The new 16,000 TEU vessel, owned by the CMA CGM, sails under the UK flag. It began its first voyage on Wednesday in Ningbo, China.

Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in South Korea, the massive ship is 396 metres long and 54 metres wide, with a draft of 16 metres, making it longer than the Empire State Building or the Eiffel Tower.

It is equipped with the latest environmental technologies, such as an electronically-controlled engine allowing a significantly reduced consumption of fuel. The ship is the first of a series of three 16,000 TEU vessels which are all to be named after great explorers.

The delivery of the two next vessels is expected in 2013.

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