Ep 8. M/V BeCrux

Mighty Ships is a documentary TV series that explores some of the most impressive vessels that traverse the world's oceans. Each episode focuses on a different ship, delving into its unique features, history, and mission. In season 2 episode 8, viewers will be introduced to the M/V BeCrux, a massive container ship that is capable of carrying thousands of cargo containers across vast distances.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the sheer size of the BeCrux. At 984 feet long and 106 feet wide, the vessel is about the length of three football fields and towers 16 stories high. We see the ship docked in Antwerp, Belgium, where it is being loaded with containers that will be transported to ports around the world. The BeCrux has a capacity of 9,600 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), meaning it can carry nearly 10,000 standard containers at once.

The documentary then takes us onboard the BeCrux to meet the crew, who come from all over the world and speak a variety of languages. We learn that the ship is registered in Cyprus, and the captain is a Greek national named Kyriakos Kontis. The crew works around the clock to ensure the BeCrux stays on course and that the cargo is secure. We see them navigating the ship through busy shipping lanes, using state-of-the-art technology to monitor the weather and ocean conditions.

As the BeCrux begins its journey across the Atlantic, we learn more about the way container ships operate. We see the crew using massive cranes to lift containers onto the ship and then carefully stacking them into neat rows. The containers are secured in place using heavy chains and locks to prevent them from shifting during the voyage. We also see the massive engine room, where the ship's giant diesel engines generate the power needed to move the BeCrux through the water.

The next part of the journey takes us to the Panama Canal, one of the most important waterways in the world. The BeCrux is too big to go through the original canal, which was designed for smaller ships. Instead, it must navigate the new canal, which was completed in 2016 and can accommodate much larger vessels. The crew must carefully navigate the BeCrux through the narrow locks and canals, using powerful tugboats to help guide the ship.

Once through the canal, the BeCrux continues on its journey to the port of Los Angeles. Here, the crew must navigate the busy harbor, avoiding other ships and obstacles as they make their way to the dock. Once the BeCrux is safely moored, the crew begins the process of unloading the containers. This is a complex and labor-intensive process, requiring the use of cranes and other equipment to carefully remove each container and transfer it to waiting trucks and trains.

As the episode comes to a close, we are left with a newfound appreciation for the scale and complexity of container shipping. We see how the BeCrux and its crew rely on technology, teamwork, and sheer hard work to transport goods around the world, keeping the global economy moving. Whether you are a fan of engineering marvels or simply curious about how the products we use every day get to our shores, this episode of Mighty Ships is sure to captivate and inspire.