Get ready, here they come.(12 SX-class 8,000-TEU container ships)

Capt. Tang Yiu Tzu was at the helm of one of the largest container ships afloat, the 8,063-TEU OOCL Ningbo, recalling how different the trans-Pacific trade is from when he first went to sea in the 1960s. Back then, container ships of less than 1,000-TEU capacity took three weeks to steam from Hong Kong to Long Beach. Orient Overseas Container Line's Ningbo, with a top speed of 25 knots, made the trip in 11 days on its maiden voyage earlier this month.

In the 1960s, several dozen crewmembers shared cramped quarters and had few diversions during the long voyages. The Ningbo's 26-member crew has comfortable accommodations with modern exercise facilities, including an indoor running track and a …