Part 5/12:
Prior to 2016, ports globally, especially in the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts, expanded rapidly in anticipation of the new Panama Canal lane. European ports also raced to adapt. Marine traffic data illustrates this shift: nearly all ships over 18,000 TEUs now primarily operate on Asia-Europe routes, utilizing major transshipment hubs like Rotterdam, Antwerp, and ports in the Mediterranean. These mega-ships unload at large terminals, then smaller feeder vessels distribute cargo further inland.
Why the U.S. Is Still on the Sidelines
Despite the global proliferation of ULCS, the United States has lagged in accommodating these ships directly. Several factors explain this reluctance: