Currently, the Emma Maersk (above) and its sister ships
are the largest container ships in use. They are 65 meters
longer than the ships to the left, slightly slimmer (56
meters) and with a shallow draft (15.5 meters). The 8
ships of the Emma Maersk class weigh about 170,000
tons - somewhat heavier and larger than ships like the
MSC Daniela. With care, an Emma Maersk ship could
likely carry 15,000 TEUs. Designs for an 18,000 TEU ship
470 meters long have been published but the increase in
length will limit ports of use. Loading and unloading
even with multiple cranes becomes a challenge as does
managing inter-modal connections especially miles of
waiting trucks.
are the largest container ships in use. They are 65 meters
longer than the ships to the left, slightly slimmer (56
meters) and with a shallow draft (15.5 meters). The 8
ships of the Emma Maersk class weigh about 170,000
tons - somewhat heavier and larger than ships like the
MSC Daniela. With care, an Emma Maersk ship could
likely carry 15,000 TEUs. Designs for an 18,000 TEU ship
470 meters long have been published but the increase in
length will limit ports of use. Loading and unloading
even with multiple cranes becomes a challenge as does
managing inter-modal connections especially miles of
waiting trucks.
The Malaccamax Tateyama was launched in
2002. She weighs 300,000 dead weight tons and
is 333 meters long by 60 meters wide with a
20.8 meter draft. Still in service 4/12/2021
2002. She weighs 300,000 dead weight tons and
is 333 meters long by 60 meters wide with a
20.8 meter draft. Still in service 4/12/2021
The U.S.S. George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is the
same length, about 17 meters wider, has a draft
of less than 13 meters, and at 97,000 tons is
considerably lighter as well as far faster.
same length, about 17 meters wider, has a draft
of less than 13 meters, and at 97,000 tons is
considerably lighter as well as far faster.
There have been various engineering proposals by Japanese and Chinese agencies over the years: one
Chinese plan called for construction over four years employing roughly 30,000 workers and costing 25
billion $US. STX of South Korea has designed a 22,000 TEU ship that could not fit the Malacca Straits.
As of April 2021 Maersk owns 20 first generation EEE class ships and 11 second generation EEE ships. These can carry 18,000 TEUs (first generation; 20,500 TEUs second generation); are 399 meters long; 59 meters wide with a draft of 16 meters and are listed as 196,000 deadweight tons (first generation; 210,000 for the second generation). As of April 2021 the largest container ships in service are owned by Hyundai Merchant Marine and are of the HMM Algeciras class: nearly 24,000 TEUs and 232,000 dead weight tons.
Chinese plan called for construction over four years employing roughly 30,000 workers and costing 25
billion $US. STX of South Korea has designed a 22,000 TEU ship that could not fit the Malacca Straits.
As of April 2021 Maersk owns 20 first generation EEE class ships and 11 second generation EEE ships. These can carry 18,000 TEUs (first generation; 20,500 TEUs second generation); are 399 meters long; 59 meters wide with a draft of 16 meters and are listed as 196,000 deadweight tons (first generation; 210,000 for the second generation). As of April 2021 the largest container ships in service are owned by Hyundai Merchant Marine and are of the HMM Algeciras class: nearly 24,000 TEUs and 232,000 dead weight tons.