Gigantic Container Ships and Their Impact on Maritime Industry

Overview

• Massive container ships tower over famous buildings and hold over 20,000 containers.
• Evergreen Marine operates three of the largest container ships, registered in Panama.

Evergreen's Evergreen A-Class Container Ships

• Ever A Lot:
  • Part of a series with a capacity of 23,990 containers.
  • Gross tonnage ranking: 3rd largest ever built.
  • Evergreen Marine ordered 13 ships, 11 in service, 2 in construction.
  • Record: 2,710 containers from Yantian to Europe.
  • Built by Samsung Heavy Industries (approx. $150 million) and SSC subsidiary ($145 million).
  • Dimensions: 1,312 ft length, 202 ft width, 56 ft draught.
  • Weight limit: 240,000 tons (equivalent to 24 Eiffel Towers).
• Design and Features:
  • Improved maneuverability with bow thrusters.
  • Mid-ship accommodation bridge with 9 decks:
    • Monkey Island: Observation Point
    • Navigation Bridge: Steering, communication, and engine controls
    • H Deck: Electrical equipment
    • F & E Decks: Crew accommodation
    • C Deck: Recreational rooms (gym, theater)
    • B Deck: Galley (food preparation, storage, and dining)
    • A Deck: Emergency facilities (fire control, hospital)
    • U Deck: Luggage storage
  • Hydrodynamic Optimization Technology: High speed with efficient fuel consumption.
  • Powered by WinGD 11X92B main engine (79,500 HP, 22.5 knots).

CMA CGM's LNG-Powered Container Ship

• Built in 2020; largest container vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
• Centered around a 660,000 cubic feet LNG fuel tank stored at -28°F (-161°C).
• Allows a journey from Asia to Northern Europe (23,400 miles) without refueling.
• Strenuous construction and long sea trials; entered service on September 23, 2020.
• Engine: WinGD 12X92DF (63,800 KW energy).
• Emissions: 20% fewer CO2, 99% fewer sulfur oxides, 92% less nitrogen oxide, 91% less particulate matter.

Largest Container Ship by TEU

• MSC Hudong Type Container Ships:
  • Capacity: 24,346 containers.
  • Two ships built: MSC Arena and MSC Loretto (under Liberian flag, operated by Swiss MSC).
  • Dimensions: 1,320 ft length, 2011 ft beam, 233,000 gross tons.
  • Maiden voyage: MSC Arena (April 10, 2022) from Port of Ganga to Europe.
  • Cost: Estimated at $150 million per ship (deal with Boom Leasing).

Importance in the Maritime Industry

• Essential for global trade and transportation of goods like furniture, textiles, electronics, and heavy appliances.

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