Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Port of Cardiff recently handled the largest ever container ship to call at the Cardiff Container Terminal at the Port’s Queen Alexandra Dock. Arriving in the early hours of the morning, and discharging on arrival, m.v. Rachel Borchard delivered its consignment of containers to the port and reloaded outbound units before sailing on the following tide. The 134.4m long, 11,376-dwt ship has a capacity of 862 teu (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units) and is operated by Borchard Lines Ltd.

Borchard Lines has been a regular caller at the Port of Cardiff for many years, making one of their two UK port calls on their West Coast UK Service, that connects Cardiff with ports in the Mediterranean. The m.v. Rachel Borchard is expected to become a regular ship on the service that calls at Cardiff every 10 days.

Keith Minton, General Manager, Borchard Lines said: “Borchard Lines is pleased at the efficient handling of the m.v. Rachel Borchard at the Cardiff Container Terminal. The additional capacity that this new ship provides will allow us to carry additional cargo and enhance our West Coast UK Service.”

m.v. Rachel Borchard arrived at the port shortly after the m.v. Soul Sound sailed from the terminal on her first voyage under her new charter to Cardiff Container Line. Cardiff Container Line, an operating division of ABP, operates a thrice-weekly integrated and efficient door-to-door container service to Ireland.

Matthew Kennerley, ABP Port Director, South Wales, commented: “Containers are an important part of our business at the Port of Cardiff and in line with our strategy to grow this market, we welcome the arrival of the m.v. Rachel Borchard as the largest ever container ship to be handled at the Cardiff Container Terminal. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Borchard Lines as the ship becomes a regular caller at the terminal. In these tough economic times, the valuable services offered by Borchard Lines and Cardiff Container Line are able to assist businesses trading to and from the Mediterranean and across the Irish Sea by providing a cost-effective solution for their logistics needs.”