Container Shipping Trends

Question 1

Who invented intermodal containers?

Answer 1

Invented by Malcolm McLean in New Jersey in 1956

Question 2

Give 5 advantages of intermodal containers

Answer 2

• Stack together
• Universal across globe
• Decreased labour costs
• More secure
• Savings by economies of scale

Question 3

How many intermodal container are moved across oceans each year?

Answer 3

Increased from 200 million in 2000 to 600 million

Question 4

Describe container vessel trends

Answer 4

• Fewer vessels but increased in size
• Longest ship is ‘OOCL Hong Kong’ (400m long, carries 21,000 containers)
• 1998 longest ship was 275m and carried 4000 containers

Question 5

Give 3 recent changes to container shipping trends

Answer 5

• Shipping industry in period of decline due to over capacity
• Ships operate under capacity, resulting in decline in economies e.g. Hanjn Shipping filed for bankruptcy in 2016
• TNCs shorten supply chains via reshoring due to geopolitical issues and piracy

Question 6

How has ship design changed as a result of global governance?

Answer 6

• UNCLOS made it illegal for oil tankers to wash out tanks with sea water to reduce pollution
• Single-hulled oil tankers phased out after sinking of ‘Prestige’ in 2002

Question 7

Where does shipbreaking occur?

Answer 7

• Poorer EECs e.g. Bangladesh

- Less health and safety regulations