Brisbane hosts longest containership to visit Queensland

The Port of Brisbane played host to the longest container ship to ever visit Queensland on Saturday, 21 October 2017.
Ahead of the visit, Main Roads Road Safety and Ports Minister Mark Baily said the arrival of the 347-metre Susan Maersk was a clear demonstration of the port’s capabilities in handling an increasing number of large vessels operating in the region.
“The visit of the Susan Maersk is only made possible thanks to extensive studies that have taken place over the last two years, to optimise the port’s channels to accommodate this class of vessel,” Bailey said.
He noted that everyone involved at the Port of Brisbane had had prior experience in operations of that scale thanks to the first visit of a mega-container ship to Brisbane, less than 12 months ago.
“These larger ships are taking a leading role in servicing key trade routes and the state is well positioned to take advantage of the efficiencies these vessels offer,” Bailey added
Joan Pease, Member for Lytton, said the Port of Brisbane marked a milestone event in November last year with the arrival of the containership Lloyd Don Carlos.
“At 334 metres in length it was slightly shorter than our latest visitor which will now takes the title of longest container vessel,” she said.
“More importantly there will be further visits from vessels on this scale which can only enhance the Port of Brisbane’s international reputation and place it in a highly competitive position in the global trade market.
The Port handled a record number of containers in 2016–17, moving 1.22 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) through across its wharves, which was an increase of almost seven per cent on the previous year’s result.
Port of Brisbane CEO Roy Cummins said the Port of Brisbane was determined to ensure its capacity for catering for larger vessels continues to grow.
“Congratulations to the captain, pilot, harbour master and tug operators, as well as our own operational team at the Port of Brisbane for successfully overseeing the Susan Maersk’s visit,” Cummins said.