DEVELOPMENT OF POST-PANAMAX CONTAINER SHIPS

摘要

The development of several container ships where influenced due to the restriction of the Panama Channel. The trend to enlarge the capacity of Panamax container ships is still going on and they are able to carry almost 5100 TEU compared to 4400 TEU in 1984 respectively 3100 TEU of the 3rd generation with practically the same overall dimensions. In the mid eighties the development of Post-Panamax container ships started. The number of shipping companies operating Post-Panamax container ships has been limited at that time. Today Post-Panamax container ships have a large share on the transport volume and vessels approaching the capacity of 8200 TEU are under construction. The trend to larger container vessels will continue but the increased size of new designs is beyond the direct experience of present vessels and therefore aspects such as structural integrity, manoeuvrability, propulsion and especially operational management must be carefully considered at an early design stage. The size limit of Post-Panamax container ships is discussed from the viewpoint of a classification society.