APL Chongqing docked at the state-run Jaya Container Terminal, the main transhipment facility in Colombo, Monday, a statement said.
The vessel is operated by APL, the container shipping arm of the Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), and is one of a pair of new-builds received by APL from Korean ship builder Hyundai Heavy Industries this month.
The two vessels have been deployed on the Far East-Europe South China Express loop known as 'SCX'.
"This heralds how container shipping will be like in the future with economies of scale becoming a major concern in ship building," said Sri Lanka Ports Authority chairman Priyath Wickrama.
I am glad to say that Colombo will be ready to handle any mega vessel to be built in the future.
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Last Friday, construction work began on the Colombo South Terminal of the new South Harbour, which will be operated by consortium consisting of China Merchant Holdings and Sri Lankan conglomerate Aitken Spence.
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