Singapore, the world’s largest transshipment hub, could one day see container ships with a staggering capacity of 35,000 TEU docking at its shores. According to South Africa’s Freight News, citing SeaTrade-Asia, this ambitious vision is technically within reach.
French shipping analysts at Alphaliner highlight that even the 18,000 TEU vessels Maersk Line is reportedly close to ordering can easily navigate the Malacca Straits. Meanwhile, the Singapore Straits, with a maximum draught of 21 meters, already accommodate bulk carriers and tankers up to 240,000 dwt.
The 35,000-TEU Dream: A Reality Check
While a 21-meter draught could theoretically support a 35,000-TEU container ship, Alphaliner analysts caution that the practicalities of such a behemoth are daunting. The sheer size of the vessel would demand unprecedented infrastructure upgrades—think massive turning basins, super-sized gantry cranes (not even in development yet), and extensive berth expansions. Add to that the dredging challenges at most ports, and the concept starts to look less like a breakthrough and more like a logistical nightmare.
For now, the idea of a 35,000-TEU ship remains a bold, if not improbable, vision for the future of global shipping.
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