Cargo Ship Types and Stowage: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on May 1, 2024 in Other subjects

According to cargo type, there are various types of cargo ships:

Types of Cargo Ships

Bulk Carriers

These ships transport unpackaged bulk cargo such as coal, cement, and sugar.

  • Coal Carriers: Transport coal.
  • Cement Carriers: Transport cement.
  • Sugar Ships: Transport sugar (azucar).

Tankers

These ships transport liquid cargo in bulk.

  • Crude Tankers: Transport crude oil.
    • VLCC (Very Large Crude Carriers): Carry 200-300 million tons.
    • ULCC (Ultra Large Crude Carriers): Carry 300-600 million tons.
  • Chemical Tankers: Transport chemicals.
  • Oil Tankers: Transport oil and gas products.
    • LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
    • LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)

General Cargo Ships

These ships transport packaged goods and other cargo that doesn’t fit into the bulk or tanker categories.

  • Conventional Cargo Ships: Transport a variety of general cargo.
  • Multipurpose Ships: Can carry a mix of different cargo types.
  • Refrigerated Cargo Ships (Reefers): Transport perishable goods that require refrigeration.
  • Roll-on/Roll-off Ships (RO/RO): Designed to carry wheeled cargo such as cars and trucks.
  • Container Ships: Transport cargo in standardized containers.
    • Feeders: Smaller container ships that carry cargo between smaller ports and larger hubs.
    • Compact Container Ships:
    • Panamax: Can pass through the Panama Canal.
    • Post-Panamax: Larger than Panamax ships.

Stowage

Stowage is the art of loading cargo onto a ship in a safe and efficient manner.

Objectives of Stowage

  • Protect the ship and crew from damage.
  • Maximize the use of space on the ship.
  • Protect the cargo from damage.
  • Ensure efficient loading and unloading operations.

Elements of Stowage

Economy

  • Knowledge of the ship’s spaces and capabilities.
  • Planning the loading and unloading sequence.
  • Avoiding wasted space.
  • Preparing the hold for the specific cargo.

Safety

  • Ensuring the ship’s stability.
  • Distributing the cargo weight evenly.
  • Protecting the integrity of the goods.
  • Ensuring the safety of the crew and stevedores.
  • Providing access to all compartments.
  • Handling dangerous goods properly.

Cargo Considerations

Different types of cargo have different requirements for stowage.

Physical State

  • Liquid
  • Solid
  • Paste

Presentation

  • Packaged
  • Unpacked
  • Bulk

Nature

  • General cargo
  • Special cargo (e.g., refrigerated, hazardous)

Danger

  • Explosive
  • Flammable
  • Radioactive
  • Toxic
  • Corrosive

Weight

  • Light cargo
  • Heavy cargo
  • Overweight cargo

Size

  • Normal
  • Extra long

Value

  • Susceptible to theft

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of cargo ships and the principles of stowage is essential for safe and efficient maritime transport.