Mega Vessels – Mega Error?

Abstract

Does it actually make sense to further increase the size of Ultra Large Container Ships from the shipping line’s perspective? Is possibly the opposite of what the growth in size is actually supposed to achieve experienced with the current ship sizes? These questions are followed up on the basis of some fundamental geometric and physical considerations, whereby the focus is on the effects of the longer port stays of the ever larger ships. Based on proportionalities a simple equation for a Fuel/TEU Indicator is introduced to determine the optimum ship size with regard to the fuel quantity and the carbon footprint per TEU for a particular liner service. This is complemented by a Total Cost Indicator for estimating the general optimum ship size. The literature published so far has meanwhile identified doubts on the overall economy of these ships especially when related land based costs are also taken into account but still acknowledge economies of scale effects for the ever growing ships themselves. This paper is intended to scrutinize this thesis.