The world’s largest ship, the Marco Polo, docked at the Freeport's Terminal Two North Quay this morning carrying 16,000 containers.

The 396 meters long and 54 meters wide vessel is larger than a US Navy aircraft carrier and is equipped with all the latest environmental technologies.

The container vessel, which is owned by CMA CGM, the world’s third largest shipping line, was built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in South Korea and sails under the UK flag.

It is the first of a series of three 16,000 TEU vessels that will all be named after great explorers.

The next two containerships of this magnitude are expected to be delivered in 2013.

The Marco Polo has been deployed on the line’s key weekly service, the ‘French Asia Line’. Before coming to Malta, it called at Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Tangier, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

After it leaves Malta it will be calling at Khor Al Fakkan, Jebel Ali and back to Ningbo.