This is an interesting thread, I first started working with containers in Tilbury in 1969 and have stayed with it ever since. I love it as it is ever changing, and very interesting.
But what does interest me is the way some people never seen to learn. Working on these ships every day you see some real horror stories in various designs, and also maintenance, but we won't go there.
Brand new vessels coming out with completely impractical layouts for people to work with.
Gear designs so bad that it can slow a ship down by almost a day in port.
Add this up over a ship's lifetime and you are talking big money.
And I do wonder about the longevity of some ships, some are really cheap and nasty.
The 4100's that we see here, only 2/3yrs old, stand at one end and look to the other and the hogging can be seen clearly.
Mr dicky,
Aren't you forgetting the dear old Kooringa of Associated Steamship Pty. From my memory she was the worlds first purpose built container ship, as opposed to a conversion. I think she was built 1965/6 and ran to W.A.. Prior to the arrival of Kanimbla and Manoora in 1970 she used a really oddball length of container, I think it was 16ft 10ins. Not sure, but I think this length had something to do with the railways of the day.
When the two larger new ships arrived she was changed to the now standard 20ft box.
Yes, its a great industry, and one that has really changed the way the world trades.
Rgds/Mike