Since the advent of containerised shipping in 1956, the world’s largest containerships have seen a capacity increase of almost 20 000% in the last 59 years, according to an infographic released by power and automation provider ABB.
In 1956, the first containership – the SS Ideal X – could carry 96 TEU’s or the equivalent of 192 cars. But in 2015, the 19 224 TEU vessel – the MSC Oscar – carries the equivalent of 38 488 cars.
Ideal was 162 metres long (under two football pitches), whereas the Oscar is 395.4m long (over four football pitches).
Ideal’s cargo payload was 16 460 deadweight tonnes, compared to Oscar’s 197 362 DWT.
At today’s prices, the value of Ideal’s cargo capacity in cars was the equivalent of US$6 million, while Oscar’s is $1.2 billion.
The Ideal’s power plant produced 5 400kw (enough to boil 1 800 kettles for an hour), but Oscar’s is 62 500kw (enough for 21 000 kettles.
Ideal could travel 12 600 miles (half-way round the world), whereas Oscar can go 26 300 miles (right round the world).
Source: ABB
Containership capacity up 20 000% in 59 years
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