Science fiction in action!

The recent announcement
by Maersk Line of an
order for ten 18 000 TEU
vessels, with an option for
an additional 20, has set a
new industry benchmark.
And while the
dimensions and benefits
of the ‘Triple E’ class –
which promises economies
of scale, improved
energy efficiency
and environmental
advantages – make
impressive reading, it’s
only by contextualising
the information that the
reality of these behemoths
of the sea becomes a little
more tangible.
The Triple-E will
produce 20% less CO2 per
container moved compared
to Emma Mærsk and 50%
less than the industry
average on the Asia-
Europe trade lane.
According to
information released to
FTW by Kerry Rodrigues,
Cape Town-based
communications manager,
this means that the vessel
effectively travels 184
kilometres using 1 kWh
of energy per ton of
cargo, whereas a jumbo
jet travels half a kilometre
using the same amount of
energy per ton.
If the 18 000 TEUs
carried by the vessel were
to be put on a train, it
would need to be 110 km
long. And if they were
put on top of each other
they would almost reach
beyond the stratosphere
(47 km).
Each of the two anchors
of a Triple-E class vessel
weighs 31 tons, equivalent
to six adult African
elephants.
Combined, the
accommodation and
bridge are as high as a
twelve storey building.
The ships are equipped
with a waste heat recovery
system, saving up to
10% of main engine
power. This equals the
average annual electrical
consumption of 5 000
European households.
Facts and figures that
would not long ago have
made good science fiction
material!