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The Monster Container Ship
It
is reported that apparently container ship size knows no limits. If
we can recall the days before containers took over, only a few containers could
go top side on what were called Alaska bound “lollypop”
vessels because the shape of the few stanchions rising up from deck to signal
container placement had lollypop shaped tops. From there, under M&M we
rapidly progressed to 6,000 container vessels to what has now become the MSC Texas which carries
8,238 - 20 foot
containers. The MSC Texas is only 36 feet shorter than the largest
cruise ship, the 1,132 ft Queen Mary 2.
"inside
the ship's massive hold, containers lie stacked nine levels deep. On deck,
multicolored steel boxes sit in neat rows, rising six containers high into the
air." reports the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
"So
gigantic are these ships that only three U.S. ports - Long Beach,
Oakland and Seattle - can handle them. They can't even fit into the Panama
Canal.
"Though
many marvel at its size, the MSC Texas doesn't represent the limits of what
shipbuilders can do. On the horizon are ocean carters that are 25 per cent
bigger, capable of hauling 10,000 - 20 foot containers."
We
wonder how much bigger can they get? If they continue enlarging, fewer and fewer
ports will be able to berth them. In addition, it might be asked what happens if
global warming continues to raise sea levels? While that may help accommodate
megaships with more draft available, what happens if the bridges to be passed
under become too close to sea level for them to pass?
In addition, if the port of Tacoma, as indicated above, is unable to accommodate
megaships where will it end up in competition with Seattle for tonnage rates?
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