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Massive Megaship Departs Port Of Oakland

OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- The largest container ship to ever visit the U.S. left the Port of Oakland Monday afternoon, port officials said.

The 1,300-foot-long CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin left at around 1:15 p.m. after docking at the port on New Year's Eve.

The megaship made its maiden voyage from Asia, bringing beverages, furniture, glassware, plastics, electronics and steel products from China.

It stopped at Los Angeles first before arriving in Oakland, and will export agricultural products and other items back to Asia, port officials said.

CMA CGM, based in Marseilles, France, expects the Benjamin Franklin to return to Oakland regularly, hauling cargo between China, South Korea and the West Coast.

The Port of Oakland spent millions of dollars over multiple years to prepare for the arrival of megaships like the Benjamin Franklin by dredging port channels to 50 feet, raising cranes and modernizing terminals.

© Copyright 2016 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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