When it comes to shipping vehicles to their eventual point of sale, the major foreign auto manufacturers have to look for a method of shipping which is cost effective and timely enough to keep the market satisfied. This is where one of the most old-fashioned forms of travel comes in hand- ship.
There are some occasions where the common container vessel is used for shipping cars. Special open flatbeds that look a lot like the ones we see travelling down the freeways loaded with cars are used. However, when it comes to satisfying the needs of a major auto manufacturer this method would be too costly to be effective.
That is where the floating parking garage known as the automobile ship comes in hand. These ships are specially built for overseas auto shipping. For all intents and purposes they pretty much look like a large parking garage; very box like.
Newer ships being built are coming out a little more aerodynamic (which will no doubt help it knife through the sea while underway), but still maintain the essential shape necessary for optimal vehicle shipping. As better architecture and building methods become available new ships will be built that will really make overseas auto shipping economical and practical for manufacturers.
The new additions to the fleet for Eukor Car Carriers, Inc. are the future of the auto shipping industry. Two ships were added in 2008 and another two in 2009 that can carry over 8000 cars (8011 to be exact). These carriers are the biggest automobile ships in the world. The first one to visit the U.S. was the Morning Lisa; it arrived at the Port of Portland in late February of this year.
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