TYPES OF SHIPS

To-day let us see the different types of ships in general, based on their purpose and usage. It is difficult to classify
the ships, mainly because there are so many criteria based on which classification can be made.
One classification is based on propulsion; with ships categorized as either a sailing ship a steamship or a motor ship.
Sailing ships are ships which are propelled solely by means of sails.
Steamships are ships which are propelled by steam engines.
Motor ships are ships which use internal combustion engines as a means to propel themselves. Motor ships include
ships that propel itself through the use of both sail and mechanical means.
Other classification systems exist that use criteria such as:

The number of hulls, giving categories like mono hull, catamaran, trimaran.

The shape and size, giving categories like dinghy, keelboat, and icebreaker.

The building materials used, giving steel, aluminum, wood, fiberglass, and plastic.

The type of propulsion system used, giving human-propelled, mechanical, and sails.

The manufacturer, series, or class.

Another way to categorize ships and boats is based on their use.

The categorizations under usage are:

military ships,

commercial vessels,

fishing boats,

pleasure crafts etc.

Military Ships / Naval Ships:

Fig: Aircraft carrier and a replenishment ship.

There are many types of naval vessels. Modern naval vessels can be categorized as: war ships, submarines,
and support and auxiliary vessels. Modern warships are generally divided into seven main categories, which
are: aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, submarines and amphibious assault ships.
Battle ship is another category. Most military submarines are either attack submarines or ballistic missile
submarines. Most navies include many types of support and auxiliary vessels, such as minesweepers, patrol
boats, off-shore patrol vessels replenishment ships etc. Combat vessels like cruisers and destroyers usually
have fine hulls to maximize speed and maneuverability. They also usually have advanced electronics and
communication systems, as well as weapons.

Commercial Vessel:

Fig: Two container ships.

Commercial vessels or merchant ships can be divided into three broad categories: cargo ships, passenger
ships, and special-purpose ships. Cargo ships transport dry and liquid cargo. Dry cargo can be transported in
bulk by bulk carriers, packed directly onto a general cargo ship in break-bulk, packed in intermodal containers
as aboard a container ship, or driven aboard as in roll-on roll-off ships. Liquid cargo is generally carried in
bulk aboard tankers, such as oil tankers, chemical tankers and LNG tankers, although smaller shipments may
be carried on container ships in tank containers. Most commercial vessels have full hull-forms to maximize
cargo capacity. Hulls are usually made of steel, although aluminum can be used on faster craft, and fiberglass on
the smallest service vessels. Commercial vessels generally have a crew headed by a captain, with deck officers
and marine engineers on larger vessels. Commercial vessels are typically powered by a single propeller driven
by a diesel engine. Vessels which operate at the higher end of the speed spectrum may use pump-jet engines or
sometimes gas turbines.

Fig: Passenger ship

Passenger ships range in size from small river ferries to giant cruise ships. This type of vessel includes ferries,
which move passengers and vehicles on short trips; Ocean liners, which carry passengers on one-way trips; and
cruise ships, which typically transport passengers on round-trip voyages promoting leisure activities aboard and
in the ports they visit.