Both of Mediterranean Shipping Company’s flagship Asia-Europe services, the Lion and Silk Services, will operate from the UK’s newest container terminal which remains the only facility able to accommodate the next generation of ultra-large container ships.
Work will very shortly conclude on the first phase of the Felixstowe South development, and include the final stages of commissioning of the Quay and Yard equipment, IT and Gate systems and to ensure that the operational workforce is familiarised with both the layout of the new facility, and also the new quay cranes and yard equipment.
David Gledhill – CEO for Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, which owns the Port of Felixstowe, commented:
“As we conclude the final period of testing and commissioning on Berths 8 & 9, it is a great vote of confidence to have MSC transferring their flagship services to our new facilities and indeed a landmark occasion to receive a visit from Capt. Porzio, who was pleased to confirm MSC`s long-term commitment to Felixstowe. Our new multi-user berths were created specifically to deal with the next generation of container ships, and the ultra-large container vessels operated by MSC are fine examples of precisely the sort of ship that the new facilities have been designed to handle in future.”
The MSC Kalina was the first Silk Service vessel to call at the new facility and at 14,000 TEU and 366m in length, is one of the largest container ships in the world today. MSC, the second largest container shipping company and a long-standing customer of the Port of Felixstowe, will transfer both services to the new facility.
