Megaportacontenedores y los límites del gigantismo en el transporte marítimo de contenedores
Palabras clave:
Portacontenedores, Gigantismo naval, Transporte marítimo, Logística portuariaResumen
La incorporación de buques de nueva generación, denominados megaportacontenedores, plantea desafíos significativos para los puertos marítimos a nivel global, incluyendo restricciones de calado, limitada capacidad de grúas buque–tierra, insuficiencia en el tamaño de los atracaderos y carencias en infraestructura interior. A pesar de ello, las líneas navieras han impulsado su uso para aprovechar las economías de escala, reduciendo el costo por unidad equivalente a veinte pies (TEU). Sin embargo, el incremento en el tamaño de estos buques genera mayor variabilidad en los volúmenes de carga y presiona la eficiencia de los sistemas logísticos portuarios. En consecuencia, resulta crucial optimizar el desempeño de grúas, equipos de patio y sistemas de transporte interno. Asimismo, su operación implica mayores restricciones náuticas, riesgos operativos y tiempos de permanencia en puerto, lo que impacta la eficiencia económica. Estas implicaciones suelen subestimarse frente a la tendencia creciente de escalamiento naval.
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