Megaship CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin off WA coast, due here in 12 hours

| Port of Seattle | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

A photo posted by Port of Oakland (@portoakland) on Feb 25, 2016 at 7:35am PST

6:49 PM: That Port of Oakland photo from last week resembles what the view will be at Harbor Island’s Terminal 18 around sunset tomorrow – if the sun cooperates (it might). As mentioned here Thursday, the megaship CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin arrives here tomorrow morning, set to dock at T-18 around 7 am, spending one night here and leaving at 8 am Tuesday. With the capacity of 18,000 containers, it’s the biggest cargo ship to visit the U.S. This size of ship is the reason the Port of Seattle wants to expand Terminal 5. Right now, the Benjamin Franklin is approaching the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, according to MarineTraffic.com; it’s expected in Port Angeles around 3 am to pick up the Puget Sound Pilots who will guide it into Puget Sound, reports the Peninsula Daily News.

MONDAY MORNING UPDATE, 6:19 AM: The ship is just passing north Kitsap County right now – you can track it here.

JayDee February 28, 2016 (7:05 pm)

I guess I’ve become a ship-spotter since I’ve moved here 20 years ago because for some reason the arrival of a cargo ship of unusual size is exciting to me. The Benjamin is just SW of Neah Bay…I hope I can see it before heading to work.

JeffK February 28, 2016 (8:38 pm)

Since moving here 3 years ago I too love spotting ships. My favorite is the Matson Kauai/Maui (not the Matson Lurline that has been docked a couple of years). My wife likes the smaller gray/red tanker with Japanese script.

Still the big container ship will be exciting to see.

Brooke February 28, 2016 (8:48 pm)

I agree. It’s very exciting! I am hoping it will be light enough to catch a couple of photos.

chemist February 28, 2016 (10:41 pm)

The wikipedia entry for this beast says it can carry containers stacked 10 high, if the ports have cranes that can handle unloading that.

Robert February 29, 2016 (10:13 am)

just what we need more chinese garbage to add to our already full disposal sites.REMEMBER MORE CHINA= LESS AMERICAN WORK.

Bradley February 29, 2016 (11:14 am)

Really? Longshoreman earn huge wages unloading those ships. Truck drivers pay their mortgages and feed their families transporting the products all over the nation. Store managers and sales staff make their livings by moving those products to consumers. Also, think of how many airlines in China are buying Boeing 7-series planes. Without the jobs gained through trade with China, our unemployment rate would be far higher and our economy far worse.

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