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1. Jiggers
   Member Profile

   

   I have noticed that there has been plenty of action in the Sound this past week of cargo ships. There is a big empty one that has been parked for almost a week now off of Alki.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

2. SeekingEuros
   Member Profile

   I have been meaning to post something. As a photog who likes to catch the January full moon over downtown... this year was not possible without capturing the container ship anchored. Usually you see this in the fall, so I am curious why so many ships are now being anchored off near Salty's in addition to those anchored just south of Magnolia (there are 3 today). I prefer shoreline shots... but have had to seek elevation.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

3. Kevin
   Member Profile

   Expensive as it is, it is cheaper for them to lay at anchor than to sail off empty. You like night shots? Fell free to hit me up and we can go do some night shooting.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

4. AlkiMac
   Member Profile

   

   I believe most of them are grain freighters waiting their turn to fill up at the grain terminal.

   The Ocean Gem Jan. 30, 2012

   

   Posted 3 months ago #         

5. CandrewB1
   Member Profile

   A few years ago they would sail off empty (or not) as soon as they were done unloading. They needed to get back to China and load up more crap. Not sure how to read this.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

6. WSB
   Member Profile

   

   FWIW if you don't already know this, you can usually get the ships' names (if you don't have binoculars, or don't catch them while passing on a Water Taxi ride!) at http://marinetraffic.com - and those links usually will tell you what kind of ship, maybe even where they were last, etc. Can while away hours just browsing ... TR

   Posted 3 months ago #         

7. Erik
   Member Profile

   

   It could be a global shipping glut, too many new carriers on line. The older ships are just being anchored.
   http://www.marketwatch.com/story/global-ship-glut-fueling-baltic-dry-index-plunge-2012-01-27?link=MW_latest_news

   Posted 3 months ago #         

8. kootchman
   Member Profile

   Or no imports as China export slows... and we have nothing to ship over yonder. I suspect just sitting at anchor is cheaper then steaming over the horizon with no place to go to pick up a cargo.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

9. transplantella
   Member Profile

   

   Or the empty ships here could be more of this?

   Shiny new ships languish as global cargo prices plunge

   By Keith Bradsher
   New York Times
   Published: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 - 12:00 am |
   Last Modified: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 - 8:48 am

   SINGAPORE – The skyscrapers and immaculate beaches of this seaport look out on one of the world's largest parking lots: mile after mile of empty cargo ships, as far as the eye can see.

   Similar fleets bob at anchor, with empty cargo holds, off the coasts of southeast Malaysia and Hong Kong....

   http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/26/4216050/shiny-new-ships-languish-as-global.html

   Posted 3 months ago #         

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