All these photos were taken last weekend in the port of Rotterdam by Jan Oosterboer and used via Fred Trooster.  Notice their size:

MSC Regulus . . . 1200′ x 156”

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Fairplay 27 shifting MSC Regulus

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Margrethe Maersk, here tailed by SD Shark, at 1309′ x 196′   . . .

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a Maersk Triple E class container vessel, capacity of 18,000 teu’s, and

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in service about three months now.

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CSCL Atlantic Ocean, 19,100 teu capacity, 1312′ x 190,’ and on her maiden voyage from Asia.

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And finally, Berge Stahl, nearly 30 years afloat, 364, 767 tones DWT.  Her dimensions are only 1122′ loa and 206′ beam.

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And why are ships getting bigger, other than because they can, and the population is growing?  Well, we need more stuff.  Compare these family photos of household and possessions.

Many thanks to Jan and Fred for these photos.