Page 55 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2023

Technology company Descartes has been ana- (mega vessels) and the first of its size that will be
lysing this shift of containers since 2021, when regularly calling at the Terminal’s facilities – which
shipping congestion at US West Coast ports rose, was on its maiden voyage. The “OOCL SPAIN\’
amid the Covid-19 pandemic, to historically high is on a round trip connecting Asia and Europe in
levels. Today, the driver of this shift to the Εast March this year.
seems to be the growing uncertainty surround- During its 84-day voyage, the vessel will call
ing West Coast port labour negotiations with port at 13 different ports, from China and Southeast
authorities. Asia to Northwest Europe. The choice of Piraeus
Moreover, the report shows that imports from Asia as an intermediate transfer station is primarily
have been the growth driver for Gulf Coast ports. attributed to the high-quality services provided
Comparing Q1 2023 to Q1 2019 data, it is evident by PCT S.A. in terms of the speed of service for
that container outflow from West Coast ports is vessels and cargo in transit, the technological
almost equal to the East and Gulf Coasts con- superiority of the services offered, as well as the
tainer inflow. strategic location of Piraeus, which makes it a key
East Coast ports have generally outperformed hub in maritime freight flows to and from Asia and
those of the West Coast in terms of growth rates other parts of the world.
over the past several years due to the steady east- The “OOCL SPAIN”, whose construction was com-
ward shift of inbound cargo volumes that began pleted in 2023, has an overall length of 399.9
with the expansion of the Panama Canal in late meters, a moulded width of 61.3 meters, and a
2016. However, this trend has changed in recent nominal container capacity of 24,188 TEUs. In
years, given the abovementioned developments. addition, the vessel has been awarded “Smart
Ship” notations recognising that its use of the
PORT OF PIRAEUS WELCOMED ONE OF latest intelligent technology on board and big
THE LARGEST CONTAINER SHIPS IN THE data acquisition will optimise operations, enabling
WORLD fuel efficiency improvements and long-term navi-
On 17 April 2023, Piraeus welcomed the “OOCL gational safety.
SPAIN” - one of the world’s largest container ships

55