Economies of scale in large containerships : optimal size and geographical implications

摘要

In recent years, liner shipping has experienced an explosion in containership size. This is explained by the economies of scale in utilising such ships. This paper presents a model which quantifies the economies of scale in operating large containerships. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to test the effect of various input scenarios and the results analysed to determine optimal containership size with respect to different operational scenarios. Inferences are then drawn concerning the optimal deployment of the existing fleet of large containerships, likely future trends in containership size and deployment and the impact these trends will have upon container operations, logistical systems and ports.