Why missile containers do not make an effortless arsenal ship

How effective would a very large container ship loaded with containerized missiles and drones be?

Power, missile integration, detectable signatures, and damage tolerance constrain the concept, while the value of a first salvo remains uncertain.

Electrical supply limits how many missile containers a merchant ship can operate. A refrigerated container ship already has extensive power connections, while a much larger conventional container ship would need additional wiring and power-supply containers that occupy space otherwise available for weapons. Missile containers also restrict stacking because loaded containers cannot simply be placed above their launch arrangements. Large numbers of short-range missiles and roughly four long-range missiles per container are very different magazine propositions. The electrical installation would produce conspicuous heat and electromagnetic emissions, and a large ship departing from its normal cargo schedule could attract intelligence attention. The panel also questions how well a merchant hull and its container stowage would cope with flooding and battle damage. A panelist who otherwise supports civilian nuclear power objects to nuclear propulsion for an arsenal ship built to commercial standards because of the possible environmental consequences of losing it. These concerns qualify the appeal of a large first salvo, especially if the ship is detected before firing.