ULCVs continue multiple European port calls

When ultra large container vessels (ULCVs) were first considered, questions were raised as to which European port shipping lines would select as their hub.

At present, according to Drewy Maritime Research and contrary to the views of some in the industry, the average number of North European port calls per loop has remained broadly unchanged despite containerships doubling in size in the past 10 years on the Far East-North Europe route,

Container services are following traditional itineraries, calling at ports as close as possible to the final destination or origin of the cargo, with mega vessels calling at four North European ports rather than concentrating on a single mega-hub.  Such ports are typically in Benelux, usually Rotterdam or Antwerp, Germany, the UK and either the French Port of Le Havre, or one of the second-tier European ports.