MSC, the world's largest container ship, embarks on its maiden voyage from the Chuanshan port area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port on March 16. [Photo/Ningbo Evening News]

MSC, the world's largest container ship, embarked on its maiden voyage when it departed the Chuanshan port area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the world's largest port in terms of cargo throughput volume, on March 16.

Measuring 399.99 meters in length, 61.5 meters in width and 33.2 meters in height, the vessel can accommodate up to 24,116 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units).

The ship, which was built by China State Shipbuilding Co Ltd, overtook Ever Alot as the world's largest container ship after it was launched earlier this month in Shanghai.

The Chuanshan port area has 11 berths that can accommodate eight 200,000-ton container ships.

The port area features smart technologies that allows bridge cranes and gantry cranes to be remotely controlled.

Ningbo Zhoushan Port handled 1.25 billion metric tons of cargo in 2022, topping the global rankings for the 14th straight year. The port's container throughput volume reached 33.35 million TEUs last year, the third largest in the world.