The port of Southampton received the first of five new container ships in as many weeks with the arrival of OOCL Nagoya (2009/40,168gt) on 6 February.

Named after one of Japan's busiest ports, in a region home to the country's vehicle manufacturing industry, OOCL Nagoya is the 11th of 16 Panamax class vessels ordered from Samsung Heavy Industries. The smaller 4,500TEU vessels are among the company's more versatile ship types, as they can navigate to smaller ports and transit the Panama Canal.

There were also maiden calls in February for OOCL Washington and OOCL Seoul (both 2010/89,097gt). The 8,063TEU SX class ships were introduced in January and are some of the largest vessels operated by Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line. These were followed by first visits for Hapag-Lloyd's Vienna Express (2010/93,750gt) and Seattle Express (2009/91,203gt). 

Gary Davies/Maritime Photographic