Problems of Navigation in High Density Traffic

Extract

The number of ships in the world's fleet increases each year, and at an increasing rate. In 1975, 2530 new steam and motor ships went to sea, compared with 1006 in 1965 and 134 in 1955. The tonnage increase is even more startling. Lloyd's Register of Shipping quotes the 1975 total world tonnage of vessels of 100 gross tons and upwards as 342,162,000 tons, an increase of about 10 per cent over the previous year and double the figure recorded in 1966. These larger ships are less manoeuvrable and more difficult to stop. They are also restricted in where they can go in safety and thus constitute a considerable collision and stranding hazard. The growth is most apparent in tankers, ore carriers and OBOs (oil, bulk or ore carriers). The French Shell tanker Batilus (550,000 tons) quoted as having a 72 ft draught is operating close to home and recently discharged 170,000 tons of crude oil at le Havre before continuing her passage to Rotterdam. In January 1977 the Chairman of Globtik Tankers ordered three nuclear powered oil tankers for delivery in 1985, 1986 and 1987. Their size is quoted as 600,000 tons, and their speed as well over 20 knots. The Globtik Tokyo is already at sea—469,470 tons deadweight, 1243 feet long, 203 feet beam and 92 ft draught! She sails under the British flag, and trades between Japan and the Persian Gulf. The U.K. has now nine ships of over 140,000 tons gross (275,000 tons deadweight) out of a world total of 59 and the world total of ships over 100,000 tons gross was 479 at the last count.