Undeniable scale economy benefits offered by a progression in carrying capacity beyond the present largest sizes of container-ships, coupled with a readiness on the part of many port organisations and terminal operators to invest in the requisite handling infrastructure, give commercial credence to technical proposals for new, ultra-large container vessels. Although projections for vessels in the 10 000 to 12 000TEU league, envisaged during the earlier, buoyant period in the container-ship trades, stumbled on subsequent global economic events and a capricious shipping market, the resumption of the investment flow has brought fresh interest in new design possibilities. Recent contracts in the Far East for ships of 7700TEU and, reportedly, a new class of 8000TEU Trans-Pacific traders, underscore the service providers' inexorable drive for higher unit capacities, while Far East shipbuilders' concerns last year over order intake levels has led to yet keener pricing to stimulate business.
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