Eastern Car Liner (ECL) has put its new 16,624 dwt heavy lift vessel Giga Trans into service, with the ship completing its first cargo calls across the US before continuing to the UK.

The maiden voyage began with cargo loading in South Korea and China. Giga Trans then crossed the Pacific and made its first discharge call at Pier F at the Port of Long Beach. Houston and Newark followed before the vessel sailed to Tilbury in the UK.

The cargo included 23 transformers, with individual units weighing up to 234 tonnes.

Built by Honda Heavy Industries in Japan, Giga Trans was launched on 6 January. The vessel is 130 m long and has a lifting capacity of up to 500 t.

Its cargo arrangement consists of three hatches and three holds with adjustable tweendecks. The forward hatch can also be configured to carry IMDG hazardous cargo.

ECL intends to use Giga Trans mainly for heavy lift, oversized and project cargo on its North America trade. The vessel will also undertake spot tramp voyages between North Atlantic ports.

The name Giga Trans was previously used by ECL for a vessel with a 450 t lifting capacity. That ship operated for the Japanese carrier from 1998 until 2010.

Alongside its heavy lift and project cargo activities, ECL operates PCTC and multipurpose tonnage in the Far East and South Asia. Its services also include a transpacific route connecting Asia with the US and Canada.