The Singapore Straits have a maximum draught of 21 m, which has effectively limited bulk carriers and tankers to around the 240,000 dwt size. ?But Alphaliner claimed that due to the much lower cargo density of box carriers, a containership with a 21 m draught could have a carrying capacity of 35,000 teu. ?However, the analyst said that other factors would make a vessel this size far too big to operate. ?“It would need to have a prohibitive length and breadth, requiring vast turning basins and supersized gantry cranes that are even not under development, not to mention the associated berth infrastructure and dredging issues in most ports.”
35,000 teu ships could transit Malacca Straits
The Singapore Straits have a maximum draught of 21 m, which has effectively limited bulk carriers and tankers to around the 240,000 dwt size. ?But Alphaliner claimed that due to the much lower cargo density of box carriers, a containership with a 21 m draught could have a carrying capacity of 35,000 teu. ?However, the analyst said that other factors would make a vessel this size far too big to operate. ?“It would need to have a prohibitive length and breadth, requiring vast turning basins and supersized gantry cranes that are even not under development, not to mention the associated berth infrastructure and dredging issues in most ports.”