Why the world's container ships grew so big

The growth of the shipping industry and ship size has played a key role in creating the modern economy, helping to make China a manufacturing powerhouse and facilitating the rise of retailers such as Ikea and Amazon

Despite the risks they pose, massive vessels still dominate global shipping, says the writer. According to Alphaliner, a shipping data firm, the global fleet of container ships includes 133 of the largest ship type - those that can carry 18,000 to 24
Despite the risks they pose, massive vessels still dominate global shipping, says the writer. According to Alphaliner, a shipping data firm, the global fleet of container ships includes 133 of the largest ship type - those that can carry 18,000 to 24,000 containers. Another 53 ships are on order. PHOTO: REUTERS
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The traffic jam at the Suez Canal will soon begin easing, but behemoth container ships such as the one that blocked that crucial passageway for almost a week and caused headaches for shippers around the world aren't going anywhere.

Global supply chains were already under pressure when the Ever Given, a ship longer than the height of the Empire State Building and capable of carrying furnishings for 20,000 apartments, wedged itself between the banks of the Suez Canal last week.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 01, 2021, with the headline Why the world's container ships grew so big. Subscribe