We are only 27 days into the new year and already the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has taken possession of its largest ship to date. Samsung Heavy Industry Shipyard in Geoje, South Korea built the 13,800 TEU MSC Daniela. Around the world, thirty-five vessels of this size will enter service in 2009, bringing the fleet total to 70 vessels. Over the next 4 years, over 130 more just like her will hit the high seas. And if 14,000 TEUs wasn’t enough for you, South Korea’s STX Shipbuilding Co. has designed a ship capable of transporting 22,000 TEUs!
MSC Daniela is unique in a couple of respects. First, her shear size is tremendous. From bow to stern she measures 366m (1,200 ft) and has an overall beam of 51m (167 ft). That hippy beam figure will mean that narrow channels are difficult, if not impossible, to maneuver. Also, with a draught of 15m (49.2 ft) she will be very limited as to which US ports she’ll be able to call on. There are certainly some techniques MSC can employ to wedge her into more ports such as coming in without a full load or in on a high tide, however with a necessary 15% sea margin she will still be very limited. I have not been able to find a figure for her air draught, which will determine if she can fit under the Bayonne Bridge (among others).
Second, the Samsung designers have separated the deckhouse from the engine room and its exhaust stack. Moving the deckhouse forward increases the visibility of the captain and the total ship capacity by allowing more containers to be stacked on deck. It also decreases the amount of ballast water needed by better distributing the ship loads, resulting is better fuel efficiencies.
There’s no doubt that we’ll be seeing more and more Big Ships delivered. Now we need to see a concerted effort on the US’ part to enhance our ports’ capabilities to handle them.