Types of Ships

Types of Ships

In this topic we are going to pay special attention to cargoes. Ships vary in design as they cater to specific cargoes. Accommodation, Machinery spaces, navigation bridge, fore and aft mooring arrangements etc does not change much on different ships but cargo areas can change drastically.

First we will look at various cargoes

General cargo: It can be anything from Needle to Yatches. Cargo is packed in bags, boxes, cans, drums and bundles. Its dimensions and quantities will vary from parcel to parcel. Think you are packing all items from a huge department store into a hall.

Reefer cargo: These are frozen or chilled goods like meat, vegetables, fruits or specialized chemicals. Normally packed in shelf ready boxes stored on palette (platform of standard size).

Containers: These are strong steel boxes of dimensions 8 ft x 8.5 ft x 20ft or 40 ft. General cargoes are loaded into these boxes, boxes are locked and stacked on ships. They can carry any type of cargoes and have varieties in special designs.

Dry bulk cargoes: They are in BULK (Loose cargo like buying few kgs of loose rice and carrying it in bag). Mainly various ores, food grain in large quantities and scrap metals cover most of the cargoes.

Live stocks: They are live animals who must reach destination in healthy condition and must be looked after during the transit. Examples are Cows, Bulls, Sheep, goats etc. no birds.

Steel cargoes: They are heavy and there is limitation on over stowage (Stacking). Examples are Steel coils, plates, rods and pipes.

Passengers: Some are for pleasure, some need to travel for other purposes and some are daily travelers for daily jobs.

Vehicles: May be exports or Imports. Some may be accompanying passengers on short journey.

Liquid cargoes: They are in 2 categories namely Hazardous and Non-hazardous. For example Kerosene is hazardous and cooking oil is non-hazardous.

Hazardous cargoes: Petroleum products like kerosene, diesel, Petrol, Crude oil etc, Chemicals like Sulphuric acid, Pesticides etc, Liquefied gases at high pressure and very low temperatures (may be petroleum products like LPG/LNG or gases like Ammonia).

Non-Hazardous cargoes: Fruit juices (Chilled or frozen), Edible oil like cooking oils, Wines, liquors, Water etc.

Project cargoes: Normally they are a full factory for erection. Variable sizes and weights. Some may be very heavy or very large volume. They even need special land vehicles for further transportation.

Let us see what Captain DOGO is telling to Cadet DOZO.

What is ship’s responsibility with cargoes?

1. Must load and discharge cargo in safe manner without damaging.

2. Must stow it properly in correct manner. (Storage space MUST be suitable for the cargo)

3. Must be looked after properly during the transit. (This involves LASHING the cargo so that it does not move/shift during rough weather and ventilating it). Cargo must not get damaged during the transit.

4. Delivering cargo as if in original condition.

So Mr Cadet DOZO, Anything more?

Test: Test

In order to comply, we have different types of ships.

Dry Cargo Ships Passenger Ships Liquid Cargo Ships Specialised Ships