The Port of Antwerp has said the scheduled arrival of one of the largest container ships in the world demonstrates its ability to succeed as an international trade hub.
The HMM Gdansk, which has a capacity of 23,964 TEU, is expected to arrive at the Port on the 14 August. It will be the second largest vessel ever to call at the port, after the HMM Algeciras did so earlier in 2020.
The vessel began its journey in the Port of Hong Kong on the 10 July and has since called at the Port of Yantian, China and sailed through the Suez Canal.
Its first port of call in Europe was Rotterdam on 6 August, from where it went to Hamburg.
It is expected to remain at the Port for two days, at which point it will depart for its next port of call in the United Kingdom.
“Such record calls appeal to the imagination. They show that Port of Antwerp can continue to receive the largest container ships,” said harbour alderman Annick De Ridder.
“Our recent half-year figures confirm that container transhipment remains fairly stable, despite canceled sailings due to Corona, with a slight increase of + 0.4%. in TEU compared to January-June 2019.”
Barbara Janssens, spokeswoman for the Port, said: “We do not expect crowds of spectators, but all harbor enthusiasts and shipspotters can take beautiful photos from the banks.
“For the sake of Corona we are not organizing a public event this time.”
