The new ones aren't cheap...
There has been a competition the last 10 years to bring down costs per container by upping size and efficiency.
But that pushes up the price by boat way up.
Furthermore, container ships are not that roll free, they need speed to limit it, the ballasting is limited, so is available power etc...
Not forgetting that they are just a massive floating hollowed out log: no "deck" that could carry much of anything.
However,
If one was to use an older oil tanker in the 150/200m tange - then we are talking:
- Clean er' up to Marpol standards, coat the cargo tanks with antifouling.
- Site all O2 / Fuel tanks deep in the rear bottom of the unused clean/dirty slop tank
- remove deck piping, leaving only filling and emptying (no more transfers, recycling, heaters, gas pipes, steam pipes etc).
- Reinforce deck 80/100m away from superstructure at the front of vessel.
Ops
- Light ship to launch zone.
- Fill up cargo tanks with sea water heading 2/3knts into waves: more stable than a Swiss Bank.
- Erect Falcon/launch
Etc.
There is a lot power available that is normally used for loading/discharging, heating cargo and all that jazz.
This comes either in mechanical, steam or electric form, leaving lots of design options.
