Developments in the design and operation of container vessels and ports at the start of the 21st century are discussed. Most changes will be evolutionary, not revolutionary. Techniques and equipment previously used in the most advanced countries or ports will appear in developing countries and smaller ports and terminals. Computerized operating and planning systems now used only in the most advanced terminals will become widespread, and electronically transmitted documentation will become the norm. Among the predictions developed are the following: the trend toward containerization will continue but at a slower rate; surplus capacity will persist; larger, faster gearless cellular vessels will dominate the major trades, but RO-ROs and other types will persist because they are more flexible and ideal for military uses and" ocean ferry" operations; unmanned containerships will not appear, but crews of less than 10 will be commonplace; radical new designs (SWATHs, Trisecs, and" megacontainers") will not be built, but smaller hydrofoils or hovercraft that transport priority containers on short routes will; container terminals will operate 24 hr a day, store containers in stacks rather than on chassis, apply techniques that move multiple containers, and vastly expand use of automated systems and computers; and domestic containerization and the use of" roadrailer" technology will grow rapidly.