Los Angeles

Massive Cargo Ship Arrives at Port of Los Angeles

The largest container ship to ever dock at a North American port arrived in Los Angeles over the weekend.

At 1,200 feet long, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin spans more than three football fields and is wider than an Olympic-sized swimming pool, officials said.

The ship launched on Dec. 10 and arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on Saturday morning. It will remain at the port for four days.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the ship's arrival marks a powerful moment in the city's history.

"It's fitting that the largest container ship to ever traverse North American waters would make its first call right here at the Port of Los Angeles," said Garcetti in a press release.

"The arrival of the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin sends a powerful message that our port stands among the world's greatest, and that we are prepared to continue growing and adapting to the demands of our global economy."

Among the largest in the French shipping line, the ship can carry nearly 18,000 TEU's of shipping containers, which is about a third larger than the biggest container ships that currently dock at the San Pedro Bay port complex, officials said.

It is anticipated that the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin will dock at the Port of Long Beach in early 2016.

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