HONG KONG's Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) now owns the world's biggest containership, the 21,413-TEU OOCL Hong Kong, built by Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).

The OOCL Hong Kong has now broken the record set in mid-March by the 20,150-TEU MOL Triumph, as well as moved Maersk's 20,568-TEU Madrid Maersk out of the number one spot that was achieved just a few weeks later. 

The carrier described this achievement as an important milestone for the company.

"Faced with increasing competition and un-ending pressure on costs, we need to take the bold step in operating larger size ships of quality and high efficiency in order to stay relevant and compete effectively as a major container shipping company," said a company spokesman, reported Colchester's Seatrade Maritime News.

The OOCL Hong Kong is the first in a series of six 21,413-TEU vessels ordered by the Hong Kong container line.