The world's largest vessel by container volume, CSCL Globe, made its maiden call on Singapore on Thursday.

The US$150 million vessel, operated by China Shipping Container Lines Co. Ltd (CSCL), is 400 metres long and almost 60 metres wide, enough to fit four football fields.

It can carry up to 19,100 standard containers, 830 more than Maersk's Tripple E vessels, the previous record holder.

Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, CSCL Globe also consumes 20 per cent less fuel than a liner with half its volume.

CSCL Globe makes its debut at a time when mega vessels are becoming an industry trend as major shipping lines aim for greater economies of scale and cost effectiveness. Just last year, Maersk Tripple E also made its maiden call on Singapore.

Investing in a mega vessel is important even as global economic growth and trade demand slows down, group deputy general manager of CSCL Mr Sui Jun told the Straits Times.

"Due to its size and fuel efficiency, Globe can give us up to US$6 million per voyage in cost savings when fully loaded," he said. "The returns far outweigh any potential financial risks."