YAP, RAYSHALD A.

N-J1A3

LABORATORY LAB B

SEAMANSHIP 1

ASSESSMENT 1
General Characteristics of The Common Types of Commercial Cargo
Vessels

1. Container Cargo Ship

Container ships are designed to carry large containers. Shipping containers are of the size of a truck with
20 feet by 8 feet to 10 feet by 8 feet in dimension. These containers are designed in a way that; they can
be easily transported through trains, trucks and ships without any problem.

These ships are on liner trade delivering goods from one place to another across the globe. A typical
container ship contains around 10-15 thousand containers in its single or double deck hull.

They are used to transport the world’s manufactured goods; such as processed food, electronics,
machinery, spares, furniture, and tools.

2. Bulk Carrier

The powerhouse of the world’s economic engine; these ships carry the essential raw materials for
various industries from Agro-based to heavy manufacturing.

These ships are also called as bulkees or frights and are easily identified by the large hydraulic hatches
covering its holds. They are designed to carry unpacked raw materials such as wood, grain, ore, and coal.

In these ships; cargo is poured down directly into the holds according to the charter plan. These ships
are around 800-1200 feet long and account for 15-18% of the total merchant fleet.
3. Ro-Ro Vessels

Most vehicles that you use on a daily basis are transported across the globe using a special type of ships
known as Ro-Ro or car carriers. Basically they are like a big floating garage (Yes ! like that in your house);
where newly made cars are parked, latched, and then shipped.

Generally, these ships are 500-700 feet long with high freeboard. These ships are used to transport
vehicles like trucks, tractors, and cars all over the globe in a safe efficient way.

When it comes to Ro-Ro ships there is also too many variations; there are complete Ro-Ro ships, Ro-Ro +
container ships, pure car carrier, pure truck carrier, Complex Ro-Ro ships with general cargo abilities etc.

4. Tankers

With the need to fill the supply and demand gap for liquid cargo; came the monster we all humbly call
tankers. Since tankers are designed to transport cargo in bulk; they ensure a continuous flow of oil, gas,
chemicals, juice, and wines to dedicated industries and your home.

It is a special type of ship constructed to carry heavy bulk of liquid cargo. They are primarily used to
carry petroleum and its derivatives; but can also be used to carry water, juice, wine, chemicals etc.

They might look similar to those of bulk carriers apart from missing hatches; (There are small manholes
provided for inspection and maintenance purposes). These ships are normally quite large in size with a
large part of its fleet being supertankers.

Tankers can be classified into following categories depending on its cargo:

-Oil Tankers
Based on the type or grade of petroleum products it carries; oil tankers are divided into two main types
i.e crude oil tanker and the product tanker. Crude oil is used to transport crude oil while a product
tanker is used to transport refined oil; such as diesel, jet fuels, and petrol.

-Gas Tankers

These are the modified form of tankers well suited for transporting gases such as LPG, Natural gas, LNG,
Etheline, etc. They are further classified into fully pressurized, semi refrigerated, fully refrigerated,
ethylene, and LPG, LNG ships. They carry gas under high pressure, extremely low temperatures, or both.

-Chemical Tankers

They are another type of modified tankers well suited for carrying hazardous chemicals; such as acid,
base, alcohol, and other reactive chemicals in bulk. Governed under MARPOL Annex II there are far strict
rules for the construction and operational safeties related to these ships.

-Juice & Wine Tankers

According to their name; they are used to transport juice and wine from one place to another. Although
they have somewhat similar construction features of chemical tankers they are subjected to least
regulations and safeties.

5. Passenger Ships

Half a century ago, passenger ships were used to go from one place to another by many people across
the world. But today passenger ships are mostly used either as ferries or cruise ships for pleasure
voyage.

While ferries are meant for a small number of passengers traveling over a shorter distance with fewer
facilities. A cruise on the other hand is built for 5 to 6 thousand passengers with luxurious facilities for
recreational activities.

They provide luxury voyages with beautiful sightseeing. They are like a five start hotel floating on the sea
which focuses on the user experience rather than reaching a destination on or before time.