Although it happened at the height of Christmastide and it might have sailed right by many of us, the largest container ship to ever make port in North America arrived in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015.
      After making its maiden voyage from China, where it was built, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin docked before dawn with its cargo.
      The ship can carry 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which is about a third more than the ships that currently dock in the Port of L.A.
      The Benjamin Franklin measures 1,300 feet long, 177 feet wide, 197 feet tall, and is staffed with a crew of 26.
      She is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall.
      The Port of Los Angeles has been modified to dock the vessel, but cannot manage to handle a fully loaded ship at this time.
      Named for one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, the Benjamin Franklin operated its first voyage a bit more than three quarters full.
      Right now she sails while builders and shipping companies keep a weathered eye, figuring bigger is better, especially with the minimum upping of crews needed and the ever-present specter of increased fuel costs.
      So if the thinking is right, investing in mega ships is the right move for companies with long-term vision and deep pockets, as they will save money whilst driving greater profits.
      At least, that is the plan.
      But right now, in addition to infrastructure challenges, there is actually a global capacity glut as USA-China business slows.
      Although there are more than two-dozen of these giant ships built and more on order, there are also idle ships of all sizes everywhere as 2016 lumbers into February.
Geoffrey

Vol. 15 No. 9
Lightbox for February 1, 2016
Ray Ray At JFK
Chuckles for February 1, 2016
Big Day For SWISS International
Thanks For The Memories
Letter To The Editor-Remembering Peter Spaulding