A GIANT new cargo vessel has paid its first visit to Thamesport on the Isle of Grain.

The Evergreen Line’s 300 metre long Hatsu Shine is the first of two S-type vessels being introduced on to Evergreen’s China-Europe-Mediterranean service, through the Medway port.

Evergreen has purchased 10 of the S-type vessels, which are being manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan.

The Hatsu Shine’s sister vessels, the Hatsu Sigma and Hatsu Smart, have also recently been launched in Tokyo.

In order to accommodate the new generation of larger vessels, Thamesport has recently completed an ambitious modification programme to five of its quayside cranes.

The cranes have had their maximum hoist height increased by three metres and outreach extended by 2.5 metres, meaning that they can now efficiently handle vessels such as the Hatsu Shine, which can stow containers across 17 rows and up to seven tiers above deck.

David Gledhill, Thamesport’s chief operating officer said: "We have been working with Evergreen for 15 years now and are delighted to welcome the Hatsu Shine to Thamesport.

"The addition of this new generation of container vessel to the Hatsu fleet marks a further and significant development in our relationship. The additional capacity now available on this route means that Thamesport can expect to handle even greater volumes of cargo from the Far East in the future."

To commemorate the inaugural visit of the Hatsu Shine to Thamesport, Paul Ho, commercial director of Hutchison Ports (UK), presented Maurice Storey, chairman of Hatsu Marine, and Jason Lin, President of Hatsu Marine, with a signed copy of a limited-edition print of a newly commissioned painting of the Port.

Chris Hall, divisional manager of Thamesport, presented the master of the vessel, Capt Wei-Lee Rau, with another signed copy of the painting by local Medway artist, Chris Jarvis.

The ceremony on board the vessel was attended by a delegation of Evergreen and Hatsu Marine officials.