Incompressible Flow

Seaports handling freight are wonderful places to gain perspective on the magnitude of world trade.

I took this photo at Miraflores Locks, Panama, showing just a portion of the stern end of the pile of freight containers on a single ship.

North end of a southbound Pile 'o Stuff

The ship was "Panamax" in beam, barely clearing the lock sides, and just a bit shorter than the maximum length able to fit in the lock chamber.  Following the apparent rule that everything in Panama is under construction, the canal is being widened and deepened dramatically, to allow for even bigger ships.

Heading into the Pacific

Before this ship cleared the lock, I could see two more already waiting.  This goes on 24 x 7, with constant queues at both ends of the canal.