The world’s largest container ship, ‘COSCO Libra’, began its maiden voyage as it departed the Port of Tianjin on on July 20, heading to Europe. The vessel is 400 meters long and 58.6 meters wide with a maximum draft of 16 meters, with a maximum sailing speed of up to 22.5 nautical miles per hour.
The ship is able to carry 20,119 containers, each weighing 200,000 tonnes. However, despite these giant volumes, COSCO Libra’s carbon emissions are in fact lower that the target that Europe has established for 2030. Namely, the ship will be emitting only 7.045 grams per tonne-nautical mile.
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In its first voyage, ‘COSCO Libra’ will be carrying 16,586 containers of goods sold to European countries, such as garments, shoes, hats, but food as well.
The ship having launched from the Port of Tianjin in China, it stopped at the Port of Singapore. It departed the Port on August 6 to sail through the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal. It will eventually reach the Port of Piraeus in Greece, the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the Port of Hamburg in Germany, the Port of Antwerp in Belgium, and the Port of Rotterdam once again before heading back.
All these stops are considered essential parts of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative’s sea route. In addition, the ship is a representation of China’s ship building capacity, as it almost 90% of its components were made in the country.
Sea transportation is vital to international trade. Namely, according to the Analysis and Prospects of China’s Sea Transportation Industry 2018-2025 that the China Industry Research published, more that two thirds of global and the vast majority (90%) of China’s imports and exports is transported through sea.
