Resumen
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) will increase containerized cargo flows on the Atlantic route. This increase will have to be accommodated by ports, terminals, and ships. The introduction of Very Large Container Ships (VLCS) and Ultra Large Container Ships (ULCS) changes shipping patterns and requires port expansions. Mutual relations among trade, shipping patterns, larger vessels, and port capacities are addressed. This paper makes a judgement if port and shipping capacities are sufficient to accommodate TTIP stimulated growth of maritime container shipments between the U.S and European ports.