The world's largest capacity container ship has set off on its maiden voyage. Measuring 400 m (1,312 ft) in length and 58.6 m (192 ft) wide – or the size of four soccer fields for those more familiar with that alternative unit of measurement – the CSCL Globe can carry 19,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) shipping containers.
The CSCL Globe was constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd (HHI) for China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and is the first of five ordered by the Shanghai-based marine shipping company in May last year.
Despite being the same length and 0.4 m (1.3 ft) thinner, the CSCL Globe can carry 730 more TEU than the Maersk Triple E class container ships that have a capacity of 18,270 TEU. This is partially thanks to the CSCL Globe's extra expected service draft of 16 m (52.5 ft) compared to the Maersk Triple E's 14.5 m (47.5 ft). Although, both these ships fall short of the the monstrous Prelude FLNG.
In spite of its extra carrying capacity, HHI says the CSCL Globe's 77,200 bhp (56,800 kW) electronically-controlled main engine, which automatically adjusts fuel consumption based on the ship's speed and sea conditions, allows the ship to burn 20 percent less fuel per TEU than ships with 10,000 TEU capacity.
The CSCL Globe set off from Tianjin, China this week, embarking on its first of many voyages on the Asia-Europe trade loop.
Source: Hyundai Heavy Industries
Update 1 (Dec 9, 2014): There is some confusion as to the draft of the CSCL Globe. We've contacted HHI and will update the story when we hear from them.
Update 2 (Dec 10, 2014): We've been informed by Mark Pomroy, the Marine Manager at China Shipping (UK) Agency Co Ltd that 30.5 m (100 ft) is the molded depth of the CSCL Globe, with the service draft expected to be 16 m (52.5 ft) and have updated the story.
It is progress as in being less bad than it used to be ie. those big ships pollute less per TEU than the older/smaller ones.
It will never have to fit through any canal because it will probably serve the west coast of N. America anyway, bringing us our much coveted goods at the cheapest possible price, so our lives can be enriched by material wealth, that we can never have enough of.
The article stated it consumed 20% less fuel per TEU than a ship half its size. That's what I would call progress.
If you are so passionate about pollution, stop whining, purchase your goods from the craftsman and farmer down the road, give up your car, and turn off the heat and lights in your house.
So, let's see. Attack the person, not the message. Pillory them for not being perfect, even if what they are saying is actually true.
The other amusing bit in you comment, is that you speak as though a 20% reduction will matter. Funny. In point of fact, not a one old duo will be retired because of this launch, so it will simply contribute to an already horrendous problem.
I notice that you did not address any of the real salient points in any of the posts. Well done! You have a shining future in advertising.