SAN FRANCISCO – The largest container ship to visit the U.S. passed under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco before arriving at the Port of Oakland.

The nearly quarter-mile-long megaship named the Benjamin Franklin set sail from China earlier this month with a stop in Los Angeles after Christmas. It cleared the famous bridge Thursday with about 20 feet of space to spare.

The megaship can hold up to 18,000 20-foot shipping containers. The largest ships serving the U.S. can carry 14,000 containers.

The Franklin’s visit to Oakland is considered a trial run. Officials want to ensure that the vessel can be berthed and cargo discharged efficiently.

The megaship is expected to set sail for China on Sunday.