Gigantic Container Ship Leaving Port

The largest container ship to ever visit the U.S. is departing from the Port of Oakland this afternoon, port officials said.

The 1,300-foot-long CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin is set to leave around 1:15 p.m. after docking at the port on New Year’s Eve.

The megaship made its maiden voyage from Asia, bringing beverages, furniture, glassware, plastics, electronics and steel products from China. It stopped at Los Angeles first before arriving in Oakland, and will export agricultural products and other items back to Asia, port officials said.

CMA CGM, based in Marseilles, France, expects the Benjamin Franklin to return to Oakland regularly, hauling cargo between China, South Korea and the West Coast.

The Port of Oakland spent millions of dollars over multiple years to prepare for the arrival of megaships like the Benjamin Franklin by dredging port channels to 50 feet, raising cranes and modernizing terminals.

--Bay City News