Shipping’s lexicon adds a new term

The lexicon of shipping can add a new term following yesterday’s arrival of the Maersk Elba to the port of Haifa.

The giant 13,092 teu docked at the Carmel Terminal at the Israeli port to much fanfare, becoming the largest ship to have ever visited the country.

Mendi Zaltzman, Haifa Port CEO, commented: “We are entering a new era, as Haifa Port is promoted to the premier league of terminals worldwide. This advancement comes with its own obligations. It is important to remember that these massive ships are being serviced at a dock that was originally built to accommodate ships of up to only 6,000 teu, yet now we are fully prepared to receive ships of 14,000 teu.”

To celebrate the achievement, the port dubbed the ship an ‘Isramax’. The 366 m long ship has a maximum draught of 15.5 m. However, until significant dredging takes place Israel remains incapable of handling the latest series of 18,000 teu ships.