Maersk Line’s first Triple-E vessel, the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller, has made its maiden call at Shanghai Yangshan port. Dignitaries from local authorities, Shanghai International Port Group and Maersk Line gathered for a port call ceremony to celebrate the arrival of what is currently the world’s largest ship.

Mr David Williams, Maersk Line East and Central China managing director, said that the “Triple-E will help position us to meet China’s dynamic growth in foreign trade in the most efficient way possible and help us further tap into the development of China”.

Mr Chen Xuyuan, the chairman and president of Shanghai International Port Group said: “We welcome the Triple-E vessel to call at the Port of Shanghai. The Port of Shanghai, the world’s largest in terms of throughput, has the facilities and experience to service this great new vessel. We will only benefit from the efficiency and environmental features of these new vessels.”

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller, which was designed for slow speeds and energy performance, commenced its maiden voyage in Busan, South Korea. Its crew were selected from among Maersk Line’s finest, chosen because of their background and experience. For this maiden voyage, the captains are Jes Meinertz and Niels Vestergaard Pedersen, and the Chief Engineers are Per Schilling Nielsen and Niels Peter Svarer.

The ship can accommodate 34 crew members but in principle can run with as few as 13. In regular service, around 22 persons will make up the crew.

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller has now left Shanghai to continue its maiden voyage.