The French cargo ship CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin arrived on the west coast of the United States towards the latter half of December. On the face of it, that might not seem like such a notable event, as cargo ships arrive in Los Angeles all the time. But this ship is special. It’s the largest cargo ship in the world. It’s longer than the Empire State building in New York is tall, and it carries more freight than any other vehicle on the planet.
And it’s just the start.
The Benjamin Franklin is just the first of what is likely to become the latest development in cargo transportation. There is simply no better way to carry huge amounts of cargo across the ocean than the concept of super freighters. Until we find a more powerful, energy efficient form of power generation, we just can’t build anything that can carry the enormous amounts of freight a liner can that flies. A seaworthy vessel is still our best bet.
But even as more of these super ships come into service, they create another challenge; even more exposure to the elements.
More Destinations
The ways to take advantage of a super freighter are numerous. One of the obvious advantages is the sheer amount of cargo that can be loaded on one of these massive ships. The other, however, is that with concerted organization, it may be possible to add more destinations ports to a ship’s schedule, since these larger ships can carry so much.
And while that can create more efficiency in terms of how and when the shipping lines are used, it does mean that existing freight can be exposed to even more elements for longer periods of time. For example, a ship hypothetically traveling from Singapore to Hawaii to Los Angeles to Vancouver in February would run the gamut from typical equatorial heat and humidity to the drier, more crisp weather of California, before braving the much cooler, rougher waters of the Pacific Northwest.
During such a trip, there are major variances in air pressure, humidity and temperature. Cargo that is being carried to an end destination in Vancouver in the middle of winter needs to be protected against all these atmospheric and climate changes. For some types of freight, this isn’t an issue at all. For more delicate kinds however, these extreme changes can wreak havoc on the final condition when they arrive at their destination.
Proper Protection
These challenges are easily addressed through careful planning and preparation. Once a ship’s route has been planned and cargo has been determined, it’s a simple matter of being organized and proactive, taking the steps to provide the appropriate protection. Ocean container liners, for example, are one way to keep more delicate cargo in a more stable environment temperature and humidity-wise. Whether it’s heat, rain, or even radiation, taking the right precautions can ensure that everyone enjoys the benefits of this exciting—and massive—new development in shipping. Super Freighters are here, and more are on the way.
