Mega-Containerships and Mega-Containerports in the Gulf of Mexico: a Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography

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Mega-Containerships and Mega-Containerports in the Gulf of Mexico: a Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography

R. Harrison / M. A. Figliozzi / C. M. Walton

Container shipping plays a key role in international transshipments and is currently the system of choice for most global shippers handling non-bulk commodities. In the competitive maritime industry, steamship companies are looking for ways in which further economies can be achieved. One of the areas examined has been the maritime portion of the trip, wherein ship economies of scale can be obtained through the use of larger vessels. During the 1990's, technical constraints associated with very large or mega-containership designs were overcome, and the operation of such vessels (in the range of 4,500 to 7,000 TEUs) offered the promise of lower container shipment costs over the densest trade routes. This report represents the findings of a literature review largely undertaken during the period from August 1998 to June 1999. The report includes chapters on international trade and maritime economics, maritime industry, containerization, mega-containerships, and mega-containerport infrastructure, and concludes with recommendations concerning the deliverables required for Research Project 0-1833. An annotated bibliography containing material used in the report is given in the appendix.