Large and Fast Containerships and the Perspective of Australian Ports

Container ports in developed regions of the world are being subjected to intense competition. At the same time, port authorities and terminal operators are being forced to focus on avenues for increasing productivity of existing infrastructure, while cutting costs by accommodating larger ships (eg post Panamax). In the last decade, dramatic developments had taken place in regard to size, layout, and equipment of ships, as well as introduction of new specialised types of ships, the most important of which are cellular container ships. Existing ships, ships being built and ships which are known or expected to be built in the future (that is to say Fast Ships) are bound to influence plans for improvement and new construction of port and terminal facilities.