@Capt Ted
I am working for Maersk Line in Rotterdam and responsible for scheduling of the AE7 service, on which
the E-class is sailing.
The Danish vessels, especially this E-class are sailing very 'sharp' and precise. Together with her double
bow & sternthrusters it's very easy to manoeuvre in a port. Better compared to the bridge fwd-engine aft
vessels.
The limitations on the wind are certainly there. Especially if the ships are loaded with empty containers
they catch a lot of wind and are relative very light in the water. In Rotterdam (and other ports) this will
definitely give some limations.
Fortunately nowadays more and more ports are 'used' to bigger ships, which also increasing the
experience of the pilots who has to take those vessels safely in and out. Regarding the special built
tugs in Rotterdam for those E-class, well, I don't think so. Rotterdam needs more powerful tugs for
heavy bulk- and oiltankers or containerships without powerful sternthrusters, while in good weather
conditions those E-class vessels can arrive and depart without any tugs at all.
The bigger the ship, the bigger the attention of the media in case something happens....
that's a common thing
There is certainly a limit, especially if the port infrastructure (terminals & nautical) are not keeping up
with the development of those new megaships. In Northern Europe, Rotterdam is the only port
which is able to receive similar vessels already, especially once the Maasvlakte II is there.
@ Pepper_220 The current market does not really 'appreciate' such very long transit times, except if
you only wish to have empty equipment on board those services, which is not likely. The current rising
heavy fuel price during the last few months gives some advantages still to go via Suez instead of Cape of Good Hope.
Recently an E-class was approached by a pirate skiff, however, doesn't matter the speed, they are never able
to board those ships while sailing. Before the reach the deck, the crew still has time to have lunch!
It seems the pirates becoming more and more aggressive, even though the know they are not able to get on board.
Obviously this scares the crew even more....
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