THIS is the first look inside the giant car transporter the Hoegh Osaka.

Cargo being carried in the huge ship was revealed to the world today for the first time since docking in the Port of Southampton after its epic rescue operation.

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Crews slowly opened the 51,000 tonne vessel’s doors to reveal one of the 105 pieces of heavy plant machinery it has been carrying for the last three weeks.

The green-and-black Trakpactor 500 is a machine running on caterpillar tracks used for quarrying, recycling and demolition activities.

A large piece of machinery in its own right, it looks tiny compared to the mass of the giant ship.

Crews in orange jackets worked on the vessel throughout the day while crowds gathered at Mayflower Park to catch a glimpse of Southampton’s newest tourist attraction.

Teams from Hoegh Autoliners continue to assess the cargo – which also includes 1,400 luxury Jaguar, Mini and Landrover cars - and are expected to unload it early next week.

Yesterday's operation was the largest maritime rescue operations held off Southampton's waters.

It was spearheaded by the Martime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Svitzer salvage crews.

Daily Echo:

The ship was towed by four tugs from her holding position in Alpha Anchorage, off Lee-on-the-Solent at 2.15pm before arriving in Berth 101 in the docks at 6.15pm.

The vessel was beached deliberately on Bramble Bank sandbank, near Southampton, on January 3 after it began listing as it left the Hampshire port.

It floated free from the sandbank on the high tide on January 7 and has since been anchored at a spot two miles (3.2km) east called Alpha Anchorage, near Lee-on-the-Solent.