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Investment in Design Behemoth in the offing? Will LR's conceptual design for a 12,500-TEU Containership be pipe dream or reality? Attuned to the liner shipping industry's unerring drive for economies of scale, classification soci- ety Lloyd's Register (LR) has developed a conceptual design of container vessel incorporating a 12,500-TEU capacity. Although some 55-60 percent greater in slot capacity than the biggest cellular vessels ordered to date, the envisaged Ultra Large Container Ship (ULCS) would be able to transit the Suez Canal I and access key ports. LR considers that there are no insurmountable technical challenges to I vessels of 12,500 TEU, and believes that it is only a matter of time before such tonnage makes its appearance in deep sea trade. The next five to 10 years could see the uptake of the envisaged new breed of behemoths by the contain- er shipping industry. The society has examined structural, dynamic behavior and performance aspects relating to the tentative design. Key elements of the program included the development of mid-ship scantlings, investigations into hull girder bending and torsional response, and considera- tion of maneuvering and propulsion aspects. The development of the concept design followed on from a study jointly undertaken by LR and the independent U.K. firm Ocean Shipping Consultants, to identify the optimum size of post- Panamax vessel that could potentially be supported by current and forecast trade demand and the port network. A primary objective of LR was to sub- sequently determine possible structural problems that might be encountered with a ship offering a cargo capacity substantially in excess of the currently attained 8,000 TEU category. While the studies indicated limits to scale economies, it was clear that the upper point had by no means yet been reached. Taking due account of key fac- tors determining maximum vessel size, not least questions of port access and terminal infrastructure, a vessel of by David Tinsley, technical editor approximately 12,500 TEU was identi- fied as the optimum ULCS. The dimen- sions of the ensuing design drawn up by LR are compatible with maximum per- missible draft restrictions through the Suez Canal, and reflect existing and planned developments at key terminals in the long-haul trades. The largest post-panamax vessels contracted so far have practical container intake capaci- ties in the 7,000-8,000 TEU range. Hapag-Lloyd's recently-ordered quartet of 25-knot vessels from Hyundai Heavy Industries have advertised, nominal capacities of 7,200 TEU, and have been specified with the most potent propul- sive power plant currently available. The surge in the global orderbook for W m H jj I J 1 'Lj.— | 'rHlP^lIk A Imagine having access to the entire global Marine Industry ... on your PC ... The All-New Edition of the World Maritime Directory will provide you with complete details on over 20,000 leading marine companies, including: • Vessel Owners/Operators/Managers Worldwide from the smallest tow boat operator to the largest fleet owner. • Ship & Boat Builders and Repairers Complete guide to the yards that build and repair every conceivable type of vessel and BUY every conceivable kind of marine equipment, product or service. • Marine Suppliers/Manufactures The definitive guide to companies that supply the industry ... it's all here from \nchors to /-Drives - find what you need, when you need it. Over 20,000 companies with key contacts (Chief Executives, General Managers, Purchasing Personnel, Technical Personnel) plus ... com- plete address information, phone, fax, and e-mail WORLD MARITIME CD ORDER FORM Name: Company: Tel/Fax: E-Mail: _ Billing Address: City/Town: State/Region: Zip/Postal Code: Country: Payment Method: • Check Enclosed • Visa • Charge my Credit Card (tick box below) Mastercard Q American Express exp. / Signed: •NOTE: To receive the special price of $88 (+$4.00 shipping in U.S./$9.00 International), orders must be received no later than September 15, 2000. Send completed form to: The Maritime Group, 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010; or Fax order to: (212) 254-6271. Call (212) 477-6700 for information Special Advanced Order Discount The World Maritime Directory CD will ship immediately at the regular price of $139.00. Pla
