THE world's biggest container ship, Colombo Express, has made her maiden call to the port of Southampton, setting a new record for the size of vessel handled at the terminals.

Colombo Express is the first in a new generation of ships for Hapag-Lloyd and is able to carry up to 8,749 container units - would stretch for nearly 33 miles if laid end to end.

The huge ship - equivalent in length to three football pitches - will be used on the Grand Alliance Loop D China Express Service, with calls at Shanghai, Xiamen, Yantian, Hong Kong, Singapore, Southampton, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Port Klang, Singapore, Hong Kong and again Shanghai.

The round voyage time on this route takes 56 days.

The new vessel, built at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea, is certainly a ship of superlatives.

With a length of 1,099ft and a width of 141ft, her diesel plant has an output of 68,640kW, or 93,500hp, and generates sufficient electricity to supply a large town.

The engine provides the ship with a speed of 25 knots, or more than 31mph.

Michael Behrendt, chairman of Hapag-Lloyd's executive board, said at the ship's naming in Singapore: "Global container transport remains a growth market.

"Today's volume of 71 million standard containers is forecast to grow to almost 91 million by 2008 - an increase of almost 30 per cent or 20 million containers.

"With our fleet expansion programme, we are well equipped to meet the challenges of the future and fully intend to continue to expand our market position.''

Hapag-Lloyd is the first shipping line to use this innovative and environment-friendly marine diesel, which more than meet the demanding standards of the International Maritime Organisation.

Emissions are cut by 30 per cent and at the same time the ship's bunker consumption is reduced by two per cent.

Hapag-Lloyd will commission seven sister ships as well as two slightly smaller vessels by 2008.

Hapag-Lloyd is one of the leading container lines worldwide and also operates four cruise ships in the premium and luxury segment, including the Europa, rated the world's finest cruise ship by the Berlitz Guide.