BV Proposes 12,500-TEU Mega Containership

Classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) expects demand for container slots to double over the next 10 years, making current post-panamax containerships too small. Collaborating with Knud E. Hansen, BV has developed a revolutionary 12,500 teu containership design, which it says would provide economies of scale and harness innovative technical solutions to providing additional capacity.

BV's mega containership would be constructed with a scantling draft of 47 ft. (14.5 m) and molded breadth of 178 ft. (54.2 m), carrying 15,523 teu on a deadweight of 152,000. The engine room and casings are positioned one quarter length from aft with the deckhouse forward of amidships, giving higher torsional rigidity, shorter shaftlines and better visibility from the bridge. Among the several cross section alternatives considered to optimize the container arrangement and hull strength, a compromise of narrow skin double hull design and deep enhanced deck beam structure would provide the most conducive longitudinal guarantees. Steel thicknesses in the amidships region are higher than those in current use.

According to hydrodynamics calculations, the vessel holds a power requirement of 94,000 kW at 25 knots, and is designed for twin 47,000 kW diesels or Azipod systems using hybrid power plants.