BRITISH Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond made his first visit to the UK`s largest container port where he toured Taiwan-based Evergreen`s new ship, the 8,452-TEU Ever Leading, now flying the British flag on her maiden voyage.
"Shipping is crucial to the vitality of the UK economy. With this vessel, Evergreen has provided a very tangible sign that Britain is open for business and I welcome it to our shores and to the UK register," said Mr Hammond.
"In my new role as shipping minister, it has also been a pleasure to see first hand the hard work and investment Hutchison Ports are putting into the largest and busiest container port in the UK," he said.
Said Hutchison Ports (UK) chief executive Clemence Cheng: "It is an honour for us to welcome the Ever Leading to Felixstowe. We are also delighted that the minister has chosen Felixstowe for his first visit to a UK port in his new role."
Mr Hammond`s remarks follow previous uncertainty about whether Evergreen would register more vessels with the UK Shipping Register due to concerns about possible changes to tonnage tax, reported London`s Containerisation International.