Changes in shipping patterns and ship dimensions are providing a number of challenges for suppliers of mooring systems. Until quite recently, the size of container ships was limited by the size of the locks of the Panama Canal, which offered the shortest route from Asia to the east coast of the United States. That meant they could be no larger than 300 meters long and 32 meters wide. But a change in the direction of trade flows has had a major effect on the shipping industry.rn'Not too long ago, container ships were carrying some 2,000 TEU', said Mike Harrison, marketing director of Trelleborg Marine Systems.rnBut now trade is booming between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal. Today there are 10,000 TEU ships and others with 12,000 TEU capacity are being built. Consequently, the standard 300m berth for arnPanamax container is no longer adequate in many ports. The newest ships are nearly 400m long and need deeper berths to accommodate draughts up to 15m. Cranes used to reach across ships which were 12 containers wide. Now they may have to reach across 22 containers.rnIn addition, there has been massive growth in the size of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transporters as a result of new liquefaction technology, and new routes have been opened up as higher energy costs make remote gas reserves commercially viable. West Africa has huge gas reserves but with limited infrastructure it provides major challenges for the ports industry.
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