The recent incident involving a massive container ship colliding with and causing the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has brought attention to the sheer size and weight of these vessels. The ship in question, the Singapore-flagged Dali, is an impressive feat of engineering, comparable in height to the Eiffel Tower if stood upright and about two-thirds the size of the Empire State Building.
The Dali has a carrying capacity of nearly 10,000 standard-sized metal shipping containers, with close to 4,700 containers on board at the time of the accident. While the Dali is considered large by most standards, it pales in comparison to the world's largest container ships, which can transport over 24,000 containers.
Operating giant container ships offers both environmental and economic benefits, but their immense size and weight present challenges in terms of maneuverability and stopping power, especially in emergency situations. The Dali, measuring 984 feet in length and weighing approximately 95,000 tons when empty, is a formidable presence on the water with a total capacity of 10,000 20-foot containers.
Experts have pointed out that the Key Bridge in Baltimore may not have been designed to withstand the impact force of modern shipping vessels, which could explain the shocking collapse that occurred during the recent incident. The collision serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with navigating these colossal ships in congested waterways.
