PORT of Le Havre is to break record number of containers handled when the 8,030-TEU MSC Rachele makes an unusual call part of a temporary MSC transatlantic service from Asia rather than via Suez.

The vessel is to discharge and load 4,584 containers at its new Terminaux de Normandie Mediterranean Shipping Company (TNMSC) in Port 2000 which opened in February.

"This record call provides a good opportunity for everyone in the terminal to test its efficiency when handling transhipment traffic," said TNMSC director-general Christian de Tinguy.

 The test call at Le Havre may indicate its US cargo is bound for transhipment on to other northern European ports, and South African cargo will take its place rather than load at Felixstowe, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp.

(Source:shipping online)