Maiden voyage of OOCL Hong Kong, the worlds largest container ship, Felixstowe 210617

The World's Largest Container Ship the OOCL Hong Kong makes her debut in Europe in style. Not only is she the world's largest, its a ground breaking day as she is the 1st offical OOCL ship to visit the Port of Felixstowe in decades.
The OOCL Hong Kong is the 1st ship to pass the 21000 container mark. Incredibly she can hold 21413TEU. She is the first of 6 mega ships to be built at a cost of US $950 million which makes her staggering US $158 million.

As the light began to fade on the longest day of the year the summer solstice. In the North Sea around 12 miles out 2 pilots, Ian Love and Prithvi Partap Singh had the privilage of bringing the OOCL Hong Kong in to Felixstowe.
Once onboard Mr Love confirms they are inbound with a maximum draft of 15.6 metres from Singapore. Requested by Felixstowe the OOCL Hong Kong was planned portside to Felixstowe Berth 8.
The Hong Kong required 3 tugs for the starboard swing and berthing. 1st tug at 7&8 Buoys centre lead aft, second before the Platters starboard quarter and 3rd tug inside the harbour bow to bow.

Approaching the South Shipwash the OOCL asked for a tide reading as she was restricted by her draft. Tide increasing, she made her way inwards. As Harwich VTS wanted to get the ferries and Rio Bravo out before the channel was taken up by the huge ship.

As the Hong Kong got further in the channel the Svitzer Deben left the tug pontoon to be the 1st tug and make fast centre lead aft, a short while later the Svitzer Shotley left the pontoon and headed out to be position on the starboard quarter ready for a push indirect. Later on the Svitzer Sky and Svitzer Kent left pontoon.

Once closer to the harbour the pilot got in contact with the tugs to go through the plan. Starboard swing for Berth 8. Svitzer Kent had a special task for the arrival. Hoping both water jets opened she was going to give the ship a traditional welcome salute.

At the 90deg Beach End turn into the harbour, Deben goes out on portside at full line load while the Shotley pushes at a 45deg angle on the starboard quarter for a push indirect to help her around the corner.

The pilot blows the horn as she comes into the harbour.
Water jets arcing the OOCL Hong Kong enters the harbour. Cameras flashing all around form the hundreds of people who came out to see her arrive.

Once in the harbour the pilot gets the Deben to ease up and come back to right astern and go straight back 50% to slow her down. A plume of black smoke poured from Deben's funnels. Further down the harbour the Deben moves onto the port quarter while the Shotley is made fast then pushes up and the Sky goes onto the starboard shoulder to begin the swing. Svitzer Deben moves from the bow towards the stern to continue the water show.

Half away round the with the 3 tugs at 75% the bow comes to a head-on shot and then the stern begins to come in sight.
Deben eases up and moves around to the starboard side into a check position.
The Shotley and Sky pushes the OOCL Hong Kong towards the berth

Final tie up 6 and 2 & 2 with spring lines first.

ETD midday 23rd June.

Todays visit is a discharge only buts she will be back 1st week of July for exports back to the Far East.