- 5/29/2025
Mega Transports: Biggest Containership | Engineering Documentary
It is the largest heavy load transport on earth! The maiden voyage of the biggest containership of all times.
It is the largest heavy load transport on earth! When the first ship of the brand-new OOCL-fleet gets underway, more cargo is moved at one time than anywhere else in the world and ever before. At 21,100 TEU capacity, the vessels are the largest ever ordered to date.
400 meters long and about as wide as a football field (58.8 meters). These ships will not only be able to load more cargo than ever before, they will also be equipped with a number of high-class energy-saving systems.
This Episode shows the maiden voyage of the OOCL HONG KONG. Everything happens for the first time: the captain, the pilots and the harbour crew have never before manoeuvred a giant ship like this. Berthing, loading, steering: Risky manoeuvres, which have never been tested before.
Once berthed, the cargo loading pushes everyone involved to the limit. Crew, Crane operators and the lashing team. A loading procedure like this, with additional containers on top of the so far known stacking limit, has only been theoretically discussed, but never tested in real life. Balancing the ship, moving and securing the stunning mass of containers is a task, which does not condone even the slightest mistake.
The route from Shanghai to Rotterdam, with stop in Singapore brings constant challenges: pirate areas, onboard emergency drills and the navigation through the narrow waters of the Suez Canal. All of this happens under incredibly high pressure of time – will the world’s largest container ship stay on schedule on its maiden voyage?
It is the largest heavy load transport on earth! The maiden voyage of the biggest containership of all times.
It is the largest heavy load transport on earth! When the first ship of the brand-new OOCL-fleet gets underway, more cargo is moved at one time than anywhere else in the world and ever before. At 21,100 TEU capacity, the vessels are the largest ever ordered to date.
400 meters long and about as wide as a football field (58.8 meters). These ships will not only be able to load more cargo than ever before, they will also be equipped with a number of high-class energy-saving systems.
This Episode shows the maiden voyage of the OOCL HONG KONG. Everything happens for the first time: the captain, the pilots and the harbour crew have never before manoeuvred a giant ship like this. Berthing, loading, steering: Risky manoeuvres, which have never been tested before.
Once berthed, the cargo loading pushes everyone involved to the limit. Crew, Crane operators and the lashing team. A loading procedure like this, with additional containers on top of the so far known stacking limit, has only been theoretically discussed, but never tested in real life. Balancing the ship, moving and securing the stunning mass of containers is a task, which does not condone even the slightest mistake.
The route from Shanghai to Rotterdam, with stop in Singapore brings constant challenges: pirate areas, onboard emergency drills and the navigation through the narrow waters of the Suez Canal. All of this happens under incredibly high pressure of time – will the world’s largest container ship stay on schedule on its maiden voyage?
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00The biggest, the heaviest, the most and the most expensive goods on earth, everything
00:20people can move. On land, on water, and in the air. Record-breaking, stunning, global.
00:33They are Megatransports.
00:50It is the biggest container ship in the world, the OOCL Hong Kong. She has the potential
01:11to change the transport business forever, to drive many other transport ships out of the
01:17market and to conquer the Seven Seas. No other ship moves as many containers as
01:23she does, but only if her maiden voyage is a success. The OOCL Hong Kong must reach her
01:30destination safely and on schedule. A risky race against time. She has never been tested
01:38on the high seas before. This maiden voyage is a true Megatransport, and it will demand
01:45everything from the crew. This is a very challenging thing, to bring out a new ship like this.
01:54The route goes through the Suez Canal, and through pirate territory. As sea, no one can help you.
02:02A Megatransport on the high seas. Now.
02:05Kochi in South Korea. It is the busiest shipyard on earth. As big as a small city. Over 35,000 people work here.
02:19They are building six container ships of the new premium class. A value of 950 million US dollars.
02:27These new Megatransporters are a massive challenge for engineers and shipbuilders.
02:36More than 21,000 containers must fit perfectly into the cargo area.
02:41Any mistake would not get noticed until loading, and could have catastrophic consequences.
02:46Do Chin Choi surveys the cargo area. He only has this one chance. Once at sea, it will no longer be possible to make improvements.
03:01If the ships get bigger and bigger, it means for me, there are a million things more to check and get right.
03:08Especially with a container ship. Precision in all measurements is the most important thing during the construction.
03:17Our work really seals the fate of the ship.
03:25Do Chin Choi uses a special 3D scanner. He will do everything possible to ensure no measurement errors are made.
03:32For him, it is a question of honour.
03:38All the same, his team checks every loading berth with a test container.
03:47For me personally, I am incredibly proud to be working on this gigantic, record-breaking vessel.
03:53And I want to get it right. It is really one of a kind.
03:57We put all the newest innovations in this.
04:00I want to get it right.
04:03Even if it is bigger than that...
04:05Her five sister ships are still being built.
04:08But the OOCL Hong Kong is ready for her maiden voyage.
04:14She is about 400 meters long.
04:17In comparison, the Titanic was only 269 meters.
04:22The biggest container ship in the world even outshines the Empire State Building.
04:27It can load 21,413 containers and transport more than 191,000 deadweight tons.
04:39That corresponds approximately to the weight of 336 A380 airplanes.
04:45An inconceivable record.
04:4712 tiers of containers can be stacked below deck and 12 more on the upper deck.
04:58One single man is responsible for the ship, its crew and its cargo.
05:02He must bring one of the biggest marine transporters of all time safely to its destination.
05:08If he passes this test, he will be considered one of the best captains in the world.
05:16Lam Chung Phat was brave enough to take the job.
05:19This is the biggest one I have been on.
05:27The last one that I was on in this company was only 13,000 TUs.
05:31And this is like a big jump.
05:33So actually this is a very stressful job, although you don't see me running around or anything.
05:38But actually there's a lot of things happening behind.
05:40The engine must be running properly, the cargo are in good condition.
05:44You know, we're on schedule, stuff like that.
05:47So it is very stressful, but you know, you have to find time to relax yourself.
05:51And one of my favorite things is to come out here to just look around
05:55and just feel the breeze on your face and in your hair.
06:00One last deep breath, then the OOCL Hong Kong will set off on her maiden voyage.
06:06With him on board is his dear friend, Lim Keng Hock, the chief officer.
06:13His job is to make sure the crew functions well from the very beginning.
06:19And he must do so on a ship that no one knows.
06:22It's quite heavy because we just left the shipyard and so we have to bring them up to speed.
06:30So we have to keep on training and there's a lot of work to do.
06:34The first task for the officer and his team, to raise the anchor.
06:41On small ships, this is no problem.
06:43But on the biggest container ship in the world, it is hard work.
06:54Hong Kong forward, how is the cable?
06:56Stand by.
06:58The anchor's weight and its cable make sure that the ship does not drift or tip over.
07:06There is one anchor on each side of the ship's bow.
07:13Roger.
07:14Forward chief mate, please bring the anchor home.
07:19Everything on this ship is oversized, bigger, heavier and thus also more ponderous and slower than on other transport ships.
07:27Anchor and cable together measure over 770 meters in total and weigh more than 440 tons.
07:42Lin Keng Hock and his team must work safely above all, but also as fast as possible.
07:48That is the only way for the OOCL Hong Kong to capture the top position in the shipping business.
07:57Dead slow ahead.
07:58Dead slow ahead.
08:02The mega transporters maiden voyage lasts about 30 days.
08:05The first destination, Shanghai, the largest port on earth.
08:10After that comes the first ordeal on the high seas.
08:15A voyage to Singapore.
08:20There, the OOCL Hong Kong will load its final cargo.
08:25Its route then takes it to the Suez Canal.
08:29The narrow passage is a risky maneuver and the toughest test for ship and crew.
08:34In Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe, the maiden voyage will come to an end.
08:47Yangshen, the deep water port of Shanghai and the mega transport's first stop.
08:5413 million containers are loaded here every year.
08:57It is not only the biggest, but also the busiest port on earth.
09:0330 ships can dock and load at the same time.
09:07And precisely that will be a problem for the OOCL Hong Kong.
09:12Two hours from the port, Captain Lam Chung-Fat is tense.
09:26No wonder, it is his first berthing maneuver with this gigantic ship.
09:31He has requested a local pilot.
09:36The pilot boat is approaching.
09:37Get the senior boat to rig the starboard side pilot ladder four meters above the water.
09:41The pilot must bring his small boat alongside the mega transporter.
09:47And jump onto a rope ladder at the right moment.
09:53The pilot boat may be moving up and down a lot.
09:56And this is quite risky for the pilot.
09:58So for the pilot, this is one of the most risky part of his job actually to get onto the ship.
10:06Indeed, there have been many fatal accidents during bad weather and rough seas.
10:11Islets have fallen from the ladder, drowned or been crushed between the ships.
10:29Thankfully, the sea is quiet today and the pilot comes aboard uneventfully.
10:33This is the first berth of this vessel, right?
10:49Yes.
10:51Everyone at the port is already pretty excited.
10:54As soon as the pilot is on board, he becomes a member of the crew and has the same rank as the captain.
11:06From now on, he gives the orders.
11:08With the aid of tugboats, he maneuvers the mega transporter into the port.
11:14Number two, push slowly.
11:21The OOCL Hong Kong is a gigantic challenge for the pilot as well.
11:26Captain Lam Chung-Fat must trust him blindly.
11:29Here, I still can understand some Chinese, but in some other ports, I absolutely do not understand.
11:37Number one, hurry up.
11:40The captain knows the seven seas.
11:44The pilot, only this one port.
11:46But he knows it inside out.
11:48Water depth, sand banks and other dangers.
11:52But he does not know the OOCL Hong Kong.
11:56And the berthing maneuver is difficult.
12:01For the berth is between two container ships.
12:04The parking space is narrow.
12:06Very, very narrow.
12:10In theory, the maneuver is quite simple.
12:14Three tugboats push the mega transporter slowly and carefully towards the key wall.
12:22The greatest danger, if they push too forcefully, the OOCL Hong Kong cannot stop.
12:32She would hit the key wall and, in the worst case, could capsize.
12:38Captain Lam Chung-Fat can only stand by and watch as the pilot walks the tightrope.
12:43Number one, stop.
12:49Number two, push slowly. Wind is strong.
12:52Number one, stop.
12:55Number two, push slowly.
12:57Number one, stop.
12:58Number one, stop.
13:0810 meters.
13:09Stop the bow.
13:10Stop bow.
13:16Speed is good.
13:17Don't go too fast.
13:19Keep going slowly.
13:20Keep going slowly.
13:28The wind is strong.
13:30The stud is coming slowly, slowly to the jetty outside.
13:34Watch that blade.
13:41Number two, stop.
13:42The berthing maneuver is complete.
13:43Normally reserved, Captain Lam Chung-Fat sounds relieved.
13:54This is textbook.
13:55Slowly, slowly.
13:56Yeah.
13:57It's good.
13:58First, first.
13:59Slowly, slowly.
14:00Not very fast.
14:01Safety first, huh?
14:02The mega transponder loads more than 4,000 containers here in Shanghai, including highly sensitive
14:12cargo, like deep frozen goods and hazardous materials.
14:19Cranes raised the covers from the cargo cells.
14:22Now the OOCL Hong Kong's true size is revealed.
14:26At the same time, below deck, Chief Officer Lim-Keng Hawk must make sure the loading goes smoothly.
14:46smoothly. For him, it is less a job than a dream come true.
14:54I've been at sea for 35 years. Since I was small, I lived on an island in Malaysia. So
15:03as a kid I always see cargo ships. So I always thought one day I might work on one of these
15:09ships and finally I'm here.
15:12His first task, to check the manifest and all available information about every individual
15:18container. What is being loaded? Where is it being loaded? And what does that mean for
15:25the OOCL Hong Kong?
15:28If cargo weight is distributed unevenly, it could cause a catastrophe. The megatransporter
15:34steel frame could bend.
15:38With over 21,000 containers and 200,000 tons of cargo weight, Lim cannot commit one calculation error.
15:46We have to make sure that everything is loaded as per the plan. Different colours are the
16:01port of discharge. We are going to Gedans, Felixstow, Rotterdam and also Germany. The workflow is
16:08quite large, I would say. And it's challenging. So you need a lot of, you need to be very focused.
16:18Hong Kong third maid, chief maid, call in.
16:21Yes, chief maid, call in.
16:23Yes, the cargo plan is ready. You can come to the office. Over.
16:29Lin Keng Hock must not only make sure that the containers are put in the right place, but
16:36also that they are loaded in the correct order. If the crane operators make mistakes here, one
16:42side could become too heavy. And in the worst case, the ship could capsize. To keep this from
16:50happening, the OOCL Hong Kong has gigantic water tanks. When empty, she can take on up to
16:5765,000 tons of seawater. At port, this ballast can be pumped between the individual tanks to
17:05maintain balance. As more cargo is loaded, the OOCL Hong Kong pumps the water back into the sea.
17:12If it's within limits, then we are fine. But the optimum objective is to have minimum
17:22ballast so that we just carry cargo and have optimum trim so that we can move at a very good speed.
17:34Hello, chief. Yes, sir, mate. Everything fine? Yes, everything is fine. How many cranes working?
17:41Seven cranes working. Okay, this is the loading plan for this port. For the reefers, we have 14 reefers.
17:48Okay, loading 14 reefers. Yeah, this is according to the manifest to check ventilation.
17:53Okay. And DGs, we have quite a lot, 66. So ensure all labels are okay.
17:59Okay, label and position according to the day plan. Yeah. So just check the moldings and everything is okay.
18:06Okay. Okay. Any problem, give me a call. Yes, sir. Okay.
18:10Sneakers, laptops and televisions, but also DG, dangerous cargo like chemicals. All this and much more is now on its way to Europe.
18:23In only 30 days, the mega transport is scheduled to arrive there.
18:28The next leg of the voyage, four days on the high seas. On their way to Singapore, crew and ship will encounter many dangers.
18:40The cargo must get to Europe as quickly as possible. The mega transport will only be profitable if the OOCL Hong Kong sticks to its schedule.
18:59But this ship is about more than profitability and money, more than engineering and technology.
19:09This ship arouses emotions, at least in Chief Officer Lim Keng Hock.
19:14When you look at the ship from a distance, you will be quite amazed at how big the vessel is.
19:24But when you're on board, you get used to it. I have this affinity to shipping.
19:29And so, even up to now, I still find, even though it's challenging, but I find it's a rewarding career.
19:37So at the end of the day, when you sign off, you're quite a happy man.
19:42In contrast to many other container ships, the OOCL Hong Kong can load an additional upper tier of containers.
19:52But it only works with exceptionally complex securing mechanisms.
20:00This piece over here is a semi-auto twist lock.
20:03So it's used to secure the deck containers together.
20:07We can stack 12 tiers on deck.
20:11So four pieces of this are fitted on the four ends of the container.
20:15And it's heavy, and we have 24,000 on board.
20:18So you can imagine the number of containers we can load on deck.
20:21So this is loaded automatically.
20:24And during discharge, we have to manually open them so they can be discharged.
20:31And this one over here are turn buckles.
20:37These struts secure the containers to the lashing bridges
20:40and to one another.
20:42Every day, the crew checks whether they are tight enough.
20:45A storm or high waves could cause them to waver or even rip them off the ship.
20:50The securing equipment and related technology costs over one million US dollars.
20:56So as you can see, the crew now, they are checking and making sure that everything is at the right position.
21:06And all containers that have been loaded are latched down properly.
21:10One part of the cargo requires special attention.
21:17Reefers engineer, reefers engineer.
21:19Chief officer calling.
21:21Yes, Jimmy.
21:22Now we go out to check reefers.
21:25Okay, roger.
21:26Twice a day, electricians check the reefers.
21:32They always go in pairs, as no job may be done alone.
21:36The danger is too great that a crew member might fall or go overboard.
21:41In the worst case, it would take hours before such an accident were noticed.
21:48These reefers transport valuable food.
21:50They function like a refrigerator.
21:52They are fully insulated and have their own cooling unit,
21:56which is connected to the ship's power supply.
22:01The electricians must check every individual container and its temperature.
22:13Reefers engineer, come in.
22:14Reefers engineer, chief officer calling.
22:15Yes, Jimmy.
22:16Yes, how is the condition of all the loaded reefers?
22:19No, all reefers is okay.
22:22Fully loaded, the megatransporter consumes nearly nine tons of heavy fuel oil per hour.
22:30Fuel is thus by far the largest cost factor of this kind of intercontinental transport.
22:37Ultimately, such a transport must be profitable for the shipping company.
22:42Thus, the captain uses every possible trick to travel as economically as possible.
22:47weather, wind, and more.
22:51The idea is efficiency.
22:53Maybe not necessarily the shortest route, but actually we also take advantage of currents to help us get better speed.
23:00Of course, the whole target is to conserve fuel and cost.
23:10At the same time, in the engine room.
23:13The engine block is nine stories high and has over 100,000 horsepower.
23:18This is one of the biggest and most powerful diesel engines in the world.
23:29Lee Wai Chi is chief engineer on board and must keep this tremendous power generator under control.
23:35But he, too, is getting to know the OOCL Hong Kong for the first time.
23:43To understand how the ship reacts, he and his team collect all the data, recording every revolution and temperature.
23:51Anything that could be of use in an emergency.
23:54The main engine is a new type.
23:58And it's a good engine.
23:59So far, so good.
24:01But, of course, we still have some minor problem.
24:04That's why service engineer, they try to collect data and then try to improve.
24:07He shares his data with the engine builder, who is always improving his products.
24:17The goal, to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
24:25Like the ship is big or small, I still try my best to work.
24:31I'm happy because I'm also a brilliant man.
24:33The night before the OOCL Hong Kong reaches Singapore.
24:41A critical night.
24:47A pirate area stands between the crew and safe harbor.
24:57We take precautions as per the industry standard.
25:00So, it is risky.
25:04The crew goes through the emergency plan for such situations.
25:09Usually, there are no weapons on board.
25:12The men could only shoot at attackers with water cannons.
25:15Or lock themselves in.
25:16Remember, if anything wrong, just press the alarm.
25:17And you come.
25:18And then also, don't leave any door.
25:19Oh, I just go.
25:20Maybe five minutes, I come back.
25:21No, not a lock.
25:22You must lock.
25:24Everyone senses what no one says out loud.
25:26The biggest container ship in the world, on its maiden voyage, is an attractive target
25:41for pirates.
25:42The ransom for the captain is enticing.
25:50With a ship this size, it is actually unimaginable.
25:54But pirates could indeed come on board with grappling hooks and take the crew hostage.
25:59Five hours in the danger zone.
26:10Nothing to see.
26:13Only pitch black night.
26:14We need to keep the light condition as low as possible in order for us to get the best visibility outside.
26:25So, bright lights are out, so usually we get red lights, which is actually good for the eyes in terms of night vision at night.
26:34Suddenly, the second mate sees something on the horizon.
26:45A boat with no identifying marks.
26:50Not one, but rather a whole fleet.
26:52And it is on course for the OOCL Hong Kong.
26:59The port side may be a border.
27:03Captain Lam Chung-Fat sends a warning signal.
27:06Captain Lam Chung-Fat, he's ready now.
27:07Captain Lam Chung-Fat, he's ready now.
27:09You can flush it, huh?
27:11OK, I'll flush it.
27:13OK, I'll give you a warning.
27:15OK.
27:17Hopefully, it is fishermen and not pirates.
27:21If so, they would react to the signal and get out of the megatransporters' way.
27:25the water's way.
27:30Look at this, he's flashing the light.
27:35Yeah, thank you, thank you.
27:40Indeed, only a couple of fishing boats that had strayed off course.
27:47Two, three, zero.
27:49Two, three, zero.
27:51Unfortunately, at sea we have rules of the roads,
27:53but smaller boats, and they don't really follow this rules.
27:59And so, when we see something that is quite close to us,
28:05we cannot wait until they take action.
28:10The danger zone has been crossed,
28:14and the OOCL Hong Kong has reached the port of Singapore unscathed.
28:19It's the last port before the two-week, non-stop journey to Europe.
28:26Time for the megatransporter to refuel.
28:30Heavy oil for about one million euros,
28:33and more containers are loaded on board.
28:36The special challenge.
28:37Some containers from China have reached their destination here in Singapore.
28:38Others are only beginning their journey to Europe.
28:40That means loading and unloading at the same time.
28:42The special challenge.
28:44Some containers from China have reached their destination here in Singapore.
28:48Others are only beginning their journey to Europe.
28:52That means loading and unloading at the same time.
28:55Megatransporters like the OOCL Hong Kong need ports that can keep pace with them.
29:01Ports that can load more and more containers faster and faster.
29:05That's why Singapore has invested in a smart port.
29:06From this command center, the containers can be moved by joystick.
29:08The other port means loading and unloading at the same time.
29:10Megatransporters like the OOCL Hong Kong need ports that can keep pace with them.
29:14Ports that can load more and more containers faster and faster.
29:19That's why Singapore has invested in a smart port.
29:26From this command center, the containers can be moved by joystick.
29:37Many cranes are remote controlled.
29:40Operators choose the crane they need at the moment.
29:44That means no people, no pathways, no danger of injury.
29:50Camera and sensor technology makes loading precise and quick.
30:10The OOCL Hong Kong is now fully loaded and on its way to Europe.
30:21Someone has sounded the alarm.
30:29It was the chief officer.
30:31Lim Kang-Hok wants to know how his new team works under pressure.
30:44Emergency squad, command squad.
30:47Emergency squad, this is command squad, go ahead.
30:50I know the nature of emergency, over.
30:53Roger, there is fire at bay 3-0 and row 0-8.
30:59Near the high tier, over.
31:01Roger, fire at bay 3-0.
31:04Okay.
31:06Portable monitor.
31:08Go.
31:09The two guys help them.
31:12Within seconds, the team must be ready for action.
31:14For in an emergency, a fire could reach hazmat containers holding acid, gases and fuel.
31:25This drill has only one goal.
31:27The crew must be able to get around the new ship blindfolded.
31:31Above all, in an extreme situation.
31:34They must know the shortest pathways and overcome their fear of heights in an emergency.
31:39To extinguish a fire, the team must climb to a height of nearly 20 meters.
31:45Unsecured, at full speed and in heavy wind.
31:49What we feel most is fire on one of the containers on deck.
31:53As we can spread very fast.
31:55So as you can see, we can carry up to 12 tiers on deck.
31:57The biggest challenge, pulling the heavy water hoses up to the vertiginous heights.
32:03Behind the TAM Canadian Head Scouts…
32:13Behind the Tanbaka!
32:16Behind the Tanbaka!
32:17Behind the Tanbaka!
32:21Up top, the team mounts the water cannons.
32:51The OOCL Hong Kong can pump seawater up to a height of 36 meters.
33:05The crew doesn't know what exactly is in the containers, a real problem.
33:13I heard of fires which lasted for three days, so it's quite tiring to fight these kind of fires.
33:21So you need proper equipment and you need a good team of people.
33:26Below the containers, Chief Engineer Li Waiqi prepares for the emergency.
33:34For seamen, most rated is fire. Once fired, no one can help.
33:39If the cargo below deck catches fire, the team cannot extinguish it with water.
33:44Li Waiqi would have to evacuate all the rooms and flood them with the contents of about 800 CO2 canisters, thus smothering the fire.
33:53By doing so, he would also paralyze the entire ship.
34:00That's the last resort. Once we put this in, then maybe 24 hours the ship cannot move because no oxygen, combustion engine, no oxygen cannot move.
34:12So before we release this, the captain usually puts the ship in a relatively safe place and then we release.
34:19Because for 24 hours, maybe we don't have any power.
34:26Back on deck.
34:28Hadron 31, open.
34:30Onita, bear 29, shoot to the centre.
34:33Shoot to the centre.
34:35Onita, bear 29, are you ready?
34:38Horse ready.
34:42All stations, all stations.
34:57The drill is over.
34:58Fire extinguish.
34:59All stations, stand down.
35:01Stand down.
35:02Over.
35:03After this successful drill, the megatransporter resumes its course.
35:15Two routes lead to Europe.
35:18The long way around Africa and the shore passage through the Suez Canal.
35:24This route saves a lot of time and fuel, but the journey through the extremely narrow canal is risky, especially for the biggest container ship in the world.
35:37For about 150 years, the Suez Canal has been amongst the most important waterways on Earth.
35:43But cargo ships continue to get longer and wider and have a deeper draft.
35:49That means the canal must get bigger too.
35:52Above all, its depth is crucial.
35:55A new additional canal section has been opened since 2015.
36:02Nevertheless, the passage is still one of the most difficult maneuvers in seafaring.
36:08But whoever wants to remain competitive in the shipping business must confront the canal.
36:14That includes BOOCL Hong Kong.
36:17No ocean giant is allowed here without an escort.
36:27The Suez Canal Authority pilots every single cargo ship through the narrow passage.
36:34An extreme responsibility rests on the shoulders of the pilots and their commander.
36:40Captain Mohammed Fawzi Abdelkader.
36:47Through the eye of the needle, for 193 kilometers, Captain Fawzi monitors the ship's passage through 15 checkpoints.
37:06How many vessels are expected today?
37:0945 vessels.
37:1220 entering from the south in Suez and 25 vessels from Port Said.
37:18With a total tonnage of 2,527,000 tons.
37:27Shipping companies pay high fees for their ship's passage, varying according to their weight.
37:33The OOCL Hong Kong's passage costs around 1 million US dollars.
37:38The Suez Canal is the backbone of the Egyptian economy.
37:45And we are trying everything we can to attract the largest number of vessels to pass through the channel.
37:53An accident would be a catastrophe, not only for the OOCL Hong Kong's maiden voyage, but also for the canal, and thus for Egypt's economy.
38:04The passage simply has to be successful.
38:11The process of navigating through the Suez Canal is a really sensitive and difficult process.
38:18It's really hard and requires a lot of experience to guide the ships through, especially container ships.
38:24A big challenge for the pilots is climatic factors such as sandstorms.
38:31They hindered the vision of the pilots so they can no longer see the size of the canal.
38:36A look below the water surface shows that the canal is deep enough for megatransporters like the OOCL Hong Kong.
38:47But only in the middle.
38:49The pilot has only a few meters of wiggle room to the left and to the right.
38:53The moment has come. The greatest ordeal of the megatransporters maiden voyage is imminent.
39:07And Captain Lam Chung-Fat can do nothing. His hands are tied.
39:11When we are inside the canal, this is actually one of the concerns because the canal is narrow and shallow.
39:23And there's very, very little margin for error. They have, hopefully, very good pilots there.
39:28In point of fact, the Suez Canal's 300 pilots are among the best in the world.
39:35Before being allowed to operate a mega freighter, a pilot must have trained for 15 years.
39:42Pilots train their wits and agility using a simulator, which portrays ships of every size and all conceivable weather conditions and scenarios.
39:50I need to think about 100,000 things at the same time. Wind, current, engine, rudder, everything.
40:16I need to feel the whole atmosphere and become one with the ship.
40:24In a real situation, there is no second try.
40:33While the others train, Chief Pilot Farouk Fouda makes his way to the OOCL Hong Kong to guide it through the canal.
40:41He grew up in Germany.
40:43The captain needs perhaps four or five months on a ship to know how it reacts, how it moves.
40:51I have to know in one minute, right away.
40:54If I don't go to starboard, what happens?
40:57Port? How much rudder do I need? How much power?
41:00He has seen how the canal and the ships that pass through it have grown.
41:06Farouk Fouda suppresses all nervousness.
41:16His more than 40 years of professional experience help him keep cool in view of the megafreighter and the task before him.
41:22There is no tension, no. You can't be tense. Otherwise, you have no control over the ship. You always have to have strong nerves.
41:40He will need them now on the OOCL Hong Kong.
41:48OOCL stands for Orient Overseas Container Line.
41:52Founded in Hong Kong in 1947, today this shipping company is one of the biggest in the world.
41:58The ship's name is thus no coincidence. The company intends to write history with it.
42:08Farouk Fouda comes on board just in time. He literally has everything in hand.
42:14Will he manage to write a new chapter in the history of the trade route between East Asia and Europe?
42:21From this point forward, he is in command.
42:28The passage lasts about 11 hours. On average, 49 ships traverse the canal every day, grouped into convoys.
42:38The pilots have to coordinate speed and the distance between ships perfectly.
42:43Otherwise, there could be fatal collisions.
42:49The OOCL Hong Kong is the biggest ship that has ever tried to pass through the canal.
42:58The outcome of one of the biggest sea transports of all time will be decided here, in the Suez Canal.
43:15Captain Lam Chung-Fat can only stand by and watch.
43:19This ship is much bigger than the other ships, so usually in my heart I silently pray.
43:42Everyone in the control room is holding their breath too.
43:45Finally, the biggest container ship in the world leaves the narrow canal.
44:00The Mediterranean is in sight.
44:02Chief pilot Farouk Frouder has once again demonstrated that experience is golden.
44:13At over 70 years old, he has set a new record and brought the biggest container ship in the world through the canal.
44:22I've done a good job if the ship arrives safely and uneventfully.
44:33It feels good, makes me happy.
44:36The OOCL Hong Kong sets course for Rotterdam.
44:42It passes through the Mediterranean and the Straits of Gibraltar.
44:4621,000 kilometres halfway around the world.
44:50She reaches her destination almost perfectly on schedule.
44:56Hundreds of spectators show up to watch the majestic finale of her successful maiden voyage.
45:04They want to witness a true mega-transport.
45:10It is perhaps one of those proverbial moments one can tell one's grandchildren about.
45:16How can it even move with so many containers on deck?
45:22How does it stay afloat?
45:23And when I heard that it will come to the port of Rotterdam, I just had to come to see it with my own eyes.
45:39This maiden voyage demanded everything of the crew.
45:44Proud, but visibly exhausted, Chief Officer Lin Keng Ho gives the signal to berth.
45:53About 200,000 tonnes of consumer goods from Asia have reached their destination in Europe.
46:10Captain Lam Chung Phat has been at sea since 1983.
46:29This maiden voyage was the greatest challenge of his career.
46:34He has met the challenge.
46:40I think we did a good job, you know, I mean, this is a big ship.
46:51We carry many, many containers.
46:53We have to also thank the team that we have on the ship as well, yeah.
46:58I couldn't think of anything else I'll be doing, I mean, for the past 30-odd years.
47:04So it's a good job, yeah.
47:06I'm pretty proud about it, yeah.
47:08Captain Lam Chung Phat will command the OOCL Hong Kong for another six months, along with his friend, the Chief Officer.
47:20The OOCL Hong Kong sister ships will also be in regular service between Europe and East Asia.
47:27East Asia, the most important trade routes in the world, in the past, present and future.
47:57The OOCL Hong Kong...
47:58The OOCL Hong Kong sister ships will also be in regular service between Europe and East Asia.
48:06The OOCL Hong Kong sisters will also be in regular service to Europe.
48:09The OOCL Hong Kong says they will be in regular service and their direct service to Europe.
48:13But we take care of these cases of them.
48:14The OOCL Hong Kong is now known as the OOCL Hong Kong.
48:15Stay here at the OOCL Hong Kong thing with the OOCL.
Recommended
46:09
9:15