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What is the Difference Between

Vessel and Ship? The Ultimate FAQ
Guide
Mar. 4th, 2021 Send to Kindle

Information in this guide will help you compare vessel and ship.

It covers everything, from basic definition, features, and uses among other
critical aspects about vessel and ship.

So, keep reading if you want to learn more.

What is a Vessel?
Generally, a water vessel widely refers to any watercraft that navigates the
water bodies.

Therefore, according to this definition, a vessel would include all such

machines, from boats to large ships.

Some users also appreciate a vessel as a craft used for water transportation and
usually bigger or massive than a rowboat.

In addition to this, a vessel includes large boats and ships regardless of whether
they are passenger or luggage types.
Vessel

What is a Vessel’s Function?

Since the term “vessel” incorporates a wide variety of specific water
automobiles, consequently, the vessels do have a wide range of functions as
outlined below:

Passenger Transportation
Boats, large ships, ferries, etc., are efficient water transport modes for ferrying
passengers/travelers across different water bordering places or venues.

These vessels would even transport passengers across countries and even
continents.

Since time immemorial, even before world war I, colonialists used to ferry
slaves from the African continent to the USA via large ships.
Moreover, engineers have greatly designed and developed modern large cruiser
ships to transport passengers across various countries, borders, and cities to
date.

Luggage Transportation
Also, vessels offer great flexibility and reliability in the transportation and
delivery of goods across long distances especially cross country delivery.

Luggage transportation amongst countries and territories has been one of the
most affordable transport modes for use by importers.

Volatile goods (crude oils), weaponry, clothes, house merchandise, electronics,

containers, automobiles are just some of the typical goods often transported via
vessels.

Extraction and Related Activities

Some vessels are significant in deep-sea mining and extraction activities in the
ocean, seas, and lakes.

Specifically, dredging vessels are efficient at extracting sand and other marine
deposits from the sea beds.

That form of activity is significant in enhancing the navigability of those

specific areas.

Elsewhere, some other water vessels extract different types of minerals and
valuable stones from the seabed.

Those precious minerals may include diamond, copper, gold, silver, zinc, cobalt,
manganese, etc.

What is a Ship in Freight Terms?

A ship is an extensive water vessel that travels the oceans, seas, and deep
waterways.

This type of water vessel moves while carrying either goods or passengers
connecting continents, countries, etc.

In the modern maritime universe, the ships are significant in executing

specialized missions, including mining, fishing, research, and defense.

However, in the olden sail age, a ship was renowned as a vessel with three or
additional rigged masts.

Nevertheless, that definition does not hold since ships’ power generation has
so far been developed to incorporate other energy forms rather than the sail
and wind.

Shipping freight terms

What is the Difference Between a Vessel and
a Ship?
As we noted earlier, a vessel is a general terminology that includes the sea-going
crafts, which effectively navigate the waterways.

Vessels exist in different varieties depending majorly on sizes.

Small to medium sized vessels include boats and barges, its counterpart is the
ships that are the larger type of vessels.

Therefore, we can refer to a ship as a large ocean navigating vessel that may use
wind, steam power, or even other modern energy sources.

Whereas a vessel blanketly refers to any watercraft that floats which you can
easily steer on its own or by use of other sources of energy.

Most prevalently, ships transport cargo majorly to earn revenue or income to

the owners.

What Size is a Ship?

 p
Ships are by far one of the largest water vessels.

They are bulky and also expansive in dimensions.

Specifically, the ship’s size dimensions depend on a few factors, including the
operational route and purpose of the ship.

Moreover, the ship sizes also largely depend on the expected load-carrying
capacity.

Similarly, the ships’ variation in sizes also depends on the capacity of the
various harbors and ports.

Consequently, the ships exist in various types depending on dimensions.

This varieties include Panamax (427 meters long), Chinamax (360 meters long),
Handymax (200 meters long), amongst others.

Nevertheless, considering all factors, a ship should weigh a minimum of 500

tonnes; anything below that cutpoint can well be considered a boat.

How is Cargo Ship Classified?

A cargo ship is a water vessel that navigates the seas, oceans, and large water
bodies while transporting bulky goods and luggage from one seaport to another.

The cargo ships, commonly referred to as freighters, are responsible for all the
sea freight cargo.

These cargo ships maybe classified into multiple classes according to the load
types they deal in.

Below are the most common types of cargo:

Classifications of cargo ships

Based on the Type of Cargo and Purpose;

General cargo ships; this type is a general merchandise ship that carries a wide
range of general loads.

They are akin to container ships even though they do not deal in
containerization.

To smoothen their operations, this type of cargo ships have inbuilt cranes that
enhance their loading and offloading operations at the port.

Container ships; these types do transport freight in different sizes of ISO

standard shipping containers.
Therefore, these containers have automated gantry cranes to load, unload and
pack the intermodal containers inside the ships.

Undoubtedly, container ships contribute to almost half of the entire

international freight transport.

Besides, they are conventionally vast and expansive, with a luggage capacity of a
maximum of 19,224 TEU.

Tankers
These are particular kinds of ships that transport liquids and gases in the
marine world.

Every type is perfectly designed and tailored to transport specific types of

liquids.

For instance, if you transport crude oil, then a specialized crude tanker would
correctly do that.

Besides, the tankers have large capacities to handle a significant amount of

liquids.

The crude carriers are further grouped into Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC)
or Ultra Large crude Carriers (ULCC).

Elsewhere, if you deal in liquefied natural gases, then LNG carriers would be
handy.
A tanker

Bulk Carrier Ships

Bulk carriers are simply ships that deal in the bulky commodity.

They are also known as a bulk freighter.

The bulk carriers may fall into the following two distinct groups:

Dry bulk carriers; this type carries and ferry unpackaged bulky cargo consisting
of grains, ore, and sugar. Etc.

Break bulkcarriers deal with packaged luggage such as cement, fertilizer,

chemicals, powder, or manufactured items. Etc.

Unlike the container ships, these bulk carriers have ramps, conveyor belts, or
pumps to load and unload the goods instead of the cranes.
A bulk carrier

Multi-Purpose Ships
As their name suggests, the multi-purpose ships carry and deal in a wide variety
of cargo – no specific good.

This means that a single carrier may transport bulky steel, sugar, wood, paper
rolls, cement, construction materials, and others.

These ships are mainly versatile and applicable for multiple purposes.

Besides, they are the most preferred carrier for many companies.
A multipurpose ship

Reefer Ships
Reefer ships are another particular type that only transport commodities that
have to be stored at a controlled frozen or regulated temperature.

Such freight includes perishables, vegetable produce, fish, meat, medications,

etc.

Therefore, if you deal with temperature-sensitive goods, reefer ships are the
best.
Reefer ship

Based on the Sizes

The dimensional considerations of the cargo ships are length, weight, and
width.

These dimensions would, in turn, affect their capability to fit in canals, pass via
different water depths, or transit below bridges.

Another vital dimension of the ship is the DWT (Deadweight tonnage).

It refers to how much cargo a ship can safely carry, excluding the ship’s actual
weight.

Hence, cargo ships are classified as follows:

Handymax –Smaller than 60000 DWT.

Handysize; 15000 – 35000 DWT.

Supramax; 50000 – 60000 DWT.

Panamax; 65000 – 85000 DWT. Largest sized ship to pass through Panama
canal. However, its maximum weight can only be about 52,500 tons.

New Panamax; 120000 DWT.

Aframax; 120000 DWT

Suezmax; 160,000 DWT, largest sized ship that passes through the Suez canal.

Malacamax; maximum of 300,000 DWT and the largest ship that can securely
pass through the Strait of Malacca.

Seawaymax; this is the most giant-sized ship that securely fit through the canal
locks of st. Lawrence seaway.

They exist between 10000 to 60000 DWT.

Capesize; 150000 to 400000 DWT and passes through the Cape of Good Hope
and Cape Horn.

Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC); between 150000 – 320000 DWT.

ULCC (Ultra Large crude carrier); between 320000 to 550000 DWT.

What is the Difference Between Container

and Vessel?
A container is an expansive metallic hollow box mostly used for carrying
merchandise, luggage, goods, or any commodities while transiting in the water
amongst ports.
The containers are especially most prevalent for ferrying goods in water
transport and carried by water vessels.

On the flip side, a vessel refers to any watercraft that moves in the water while
transporting goods, passengers, or other particular purposes.

A vessel effectively carries containers to aid in the packaging and shipment of

the various types of cargo.

What are the Parts of a Vessel?

A vessel has got several parts.

However, all the parts are categorically classified into three most significant
and general sections; the hull, navigation bridge, and engine room.

Despite that, the following are the primary parts of a vessel:

Accommodation
Anchor
Bow
Bow thrusters
Deck
Deck crane
Engine room
Forecastle
Funnel
Freeboard
Keel
Propeller
Navigation bridge
Rudder
Hull
Mast
Parts of a vessel

What is Shipping Vessel Meaning?

A shipping vessel is any watercraft that specializes in navigating through the
waters while transporting cargo through ports and amongst countries.

Again, these kinds of vessels are fundamental in the trade industry, whether
international or local trade.
Shipping vessel

What is a Mother Vessel?

A mother vessel is a giant-sized watercraft, usually larger than a feeder vessel.

And due to their enormous sizes, the mother vessel only plies significant ports.

Besides, they have extra sizes to accommodate and carry thousands of tons of
cargo, including containers.

Consequently, the mother vessels move through longer distances while

transporting cargo.
Mother vessel

What is the Capacity of a Mother Vessel?

In terms of capacity, the mother vessels have an average capacity of about
10000 (TEUs).

Currently, some vessels have a capacity of a maximum 20,000 TEUs.

Apparently, with the rising level and improvement in manufacturing

technology.

It is possible that some mother vessels would soon reach 25000 TEUs.

How Does a Mother Vessel Serve?

Due to their big sizes, mother vessels would reliably and efficiently serve
similarly major/ big ports.

As such, these vessels would specifically traverse main ports.

What is a Feeder Vessel?

Feeder vessels are distinctively unique in two main perspectives.

Firstly, they are relatively smaller in size compared to the mother vessels.

Secondly, similar to its name, the feeder vessels are generally slow.

Feeder ship

How Does a Feeder Vessel Serve?

As their name suggests, the feeder vessels ply both smaller and major ports.

They do so by interlinking the cargo from smaller ports to significant ports

shipped by the mother vessels for export purposes.

Similarly, they also complete cargo shipping from the major ports to smaller
ports in importation cases.
What is the Difference Between the Mother
Vessel and the Feeder Vessel?
Mother and feeder vessels are two worlds apart.

The three aspects of their difference focus on size, function, and capacity.

Firstly, Whereas mother vessels are vast and large, the feeder vessels are
relatively small in size.

Secondly, the feeder vessels navigate through both the primary and minor ports
to interlink the cargo for trade.

Finally, the mother vessels have a great capacity to store cargo upto 20000
TEUs while feeder vessels have a smaller maximum of 500 TEUs.

What is the Difference Between Ship and

Steamer?
A steamer is a water vessel that navigates through the large water bodies;
however, this vessel solely depends upon steam for propulsion.

So, therefore, the difference between the ship and steamer lies in the driving
power.

Diesel is the most common source of energy for ships, whereas steam for the
steamer.

Also, a steamer has a chimney for releasing the by-products from the engine.

Better still, a steamer is a general term that refers to a wide variety of vessels
including steamboats, or steamships.
A steamer

Is an Aircraft Carrier a Ship or a Boat?

An aircraft carrier is a ship, at least according to the US Navy.

According to the US Navy, every kind of commissioned surface vessel is

considered a ship, from the large aircraft carriers to the tiny ones.

That is why the vessels have a pre-fix USS (United States Ship) in each of their
names.

Better still, the aircraft carriers are large and, as such, are a typical sea-going
airbase.

They have a ready flight deck and accessories for arming, carrying, recovering,
and deploying aircraft.

Therefore an aircraft carrier is a warship.

An aircraft carrier

Why is a Ship Transporting Goods Called a

Vessel?
A vessel is a general term used to refer to all water-bound watercraft, and as
such, a cargo ship (ship transporting goods) may well be referred to as a vessel.

What are the Different types of Tanker

Ships?
We can broadly classify tanker ships into two categories, i.e., according to the
goods carried and based on sizes.

According to the type of commodity:

Oil tanker – this tanker majorly carries crude oil together with its by-
products.
Chemical carriers – this one transports chemicals and their corresponding
products to different destinations.
 Liquefied gas carriers – these gas tankers carry and transports in bulk the
LPG, LNG, or liquid-based chemical gases.

Some other categories of tankers include wine tankers, juice tankers, etc.

According to sizes

Based on sizes, tankers are available in the following types:

VLCC
ULCC
Panamax
Aframax
Suezmax
Capsize
Handymax
Lighters
Handy

How Many types of Bulk Carriers are There?

A bulk carrier carries and transports a majority of dry, bulky cargo in huge
quantities.

Such kinds of cargo are loose in design without any specific or pre-determined
package.

The different varieties of bulk carriers include:

Gearless bulker
Lakers
Tramp bulker
Cargo liner
Geared bulker
Conventional bulker
 Self-discharging bulker
BIBO

What are the Advantages of a Bulk Carrier

Vessel?
Firstly, they ferry goods in bulk quantities over long distances.

Secondly, the bulk carriers can transport both dry cargoes e.g., grains, and break
bulb cargo e.g., cement, timber, etc.

What are the Different Sizes of Container

Ships?
Container ships can well be classified into seven basic categories, as outlined
below:

Panamax

their first entry was in 1980.

They have got a capacity range of between 3001 – 5100 TEU (Twenty-foot
Equivalent Units).

Their length is about 965 ft.

These dimensions were so much tailored to enable them freely pass the
Panama Canal.

Suezmax

The Suezmax ships have a capacity of 12000 TEUs.

They were designed to pass via the Suez canal and have a similar size to the
Suez canal; breadth of about 50-57 m.
Post-Panama

These types of containers were designed to have a substitute for the Panama
Canal route.

They were most significantly cellular container vessel type.

Their capacity is about 6400 TEUs

Post Suezmax

These vessels’ dimensions are too big for the Suez canal, and so use an
alternative route.

Post Suezmax vessels are the ultra-large type.

They have a capacity of about 18000 TEUs with a 60 m breadth and 21m
drought.

PostMalaccamax

The post-Malaccamax have got the maximum possible draught dimension of

about 21m of the Malacca Strait.

They do not dock in any random ports due to their drought size except for the
Singapore and Rotterdam ports.

What are the Energy Sources for Ships?

Different kinds of Ships utilize distinct categories of energy for propulsion.

Burning fossil fuels e.g., diesel, gas oil, and heavy oil, in the engine’s combustion
chamber.

Wind – the wind’s kinetic energy is capable of propelling the ship to move in its
direction.
Even though the wind is a source of energy, it can only propel a small-sized
vessel to be a sole energy source.

Often, most shippers use wind as a substitute energy source or as a

complement to other sources.

Steam is another energy source for driving the ships; they have to be
accompanied by steam engines and a chimney.

Wind and solar power for ships

Is a Vessel the Same as a Boat?

No, a vessel is not a boat because it is a general term for describing the
watercraft.

However, a boat is a water vessel, and as such, when listing the examples of
vessels, we include a boat amongst others.
What are the Different Variations of a RoRo
(Roll-on/ Roll-off) Ship?
A RoRo ship is a unique type of vessel with a ramp for loading and offloading
cargo trailers into the shipping compartment.

To further enhance the cargo’s loading, you need a cargo trailer with wheels to
drive the goods into the ship.

They further utilize several ramps for proper loading and unloading cargo.

There are a few variations of the RoRo ships, which comprises of:

Pure car carriers (PCC) and Pure Car Truck Carriers(PCTC); the former
exclusively transports cars while the latter transports all kinds of vehicles.

ROPAX; This one is a Roll on/ Roll off a passenger ship.

The ship is a Ro-ro type designed for freight vehicle shipping together with
passenger housing.

However, the ship is only limited to short sea transport.

Rolo – Roll on lift-off vessel.

Rolo has got ramps for accessibility by the vehicles to the vehicle decks, an
additional cargo deck but restricted for accessibility by the cargo cranes.

Thus, these vessels carry both vehicles and general cargo.

ConRo– hybrid of a RORO ship and container ship.

It utilizes the compartment beneath the deck for storing vehicles whereas
keeping the containers above the decks.
RORO Ships

How Safe is a Ship?

Ships are very safe such that some researchers put the odds of perishing in a
ship at 1 in 6.25 million.

From the design, manufacturing, to usage, the ships adhere to strictly laid-
down rules and regulations to ensure everyone’s safety on board.

All the ships, including the cruise ships, promptly follow the US and Maritime
law.

Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) maintains that an ordinary ship

has to undergo more than 60 environmental, safety and health inspections
every year.

Furthermore, the rapid advancement in marine technology further enhances

the safety of the ships.

What is the Berthing of a Vessel?

Berthing of a vessel means mooring of a vessel like a ship at the berth whenever
it is not at sea.

A berth commonly refers to a quay, pier, or wharf at which the ship comes
along.

Besides, it is at this place that the sheep moor or anchors.

Berthing of a ship usually takes place at the port, bow, stem on, or starboard
side.

The crew usually berths the vessel to enhance loading and unloading.

What are the Defining Differences Between

Ship, Vessel, and Boats?
As we earlier noted, a vessel is a general term.

However, expansive and more complex vessels are ships, while the small and
straightforward vessels are boats.

Now the main distinction comes between a boat and a ship.

And indeed, they are distinct and wide apart in meaning.

Technically, in terms of size, a ship is larger than a boat.

Moreover, ships operate and navigate the deep sea waters/ oceans while the
boats are prevalent in shallow waters such as lakes or coastal regions.

Ships include tankers, cruise vessels, RoRo ships, while boats include sail
vessels, paddle vessels, etc.

In terms of navigation and technology, boats are simple in design and

equipment, while ships have a complex operation and drive.
Besides, boats have a little deck for cargo regarding their carrying capacity,
whereas ships have a huge capacity to accommodate tonnes.

At what Point Does a Boat Become a Ship?

A boat becomes a ship whenever it meets the following expectations:

Firstly, If it increases in size to more than 197 feet (60 meters) length overall
(LOA).

Secondly, incase the boat has over 500 tonnes of displacement.

Thirdly; if the boat is a commissioned surface vessel according to the US Navy

regulations.

What is Chartering Vessel?

Chartering a vessel means the mutual agreement between a shipowner and a
cargo owner.

This is whereby the owner, after striking a deal, rents out their ship for use in
transporting the cargo.

Such kind of process, including contracts or legally binding agreements, is

called a ship charter.

In this case, the shipowner becomes the legally registered entity as the ship
owner, while a charterer is a hiring company.

A charter party, therefore, refers to the legal contract which binds the
shipowner and a charterer.
Chartering vessel

How Do you Find out Who Owns a Shipping

Vessel?
Finding a shipowner is a bit more rigorous than you can imagine – because
there is no distinct register outlining all these details.

Nevertheless, you may find that vital information with your countries’
government agency in charge of maritime or vessel sails.

For example,you may find the Maritime and Coastguard Agency  (MCA)
records register in the UK.

Apart from that, you may find the ownership information in your contract
letter issued by the shipping company.

What are the Differences Between a Vessel

and a Tank?
A vessel could be small/ simple boats or large/ complex ships carrying a wide
variety of cargo and ferrying passengers between ports.

On the flip side, a tank is a large ship that ferries liquid or gas-based cargo such
as LPG, crude oil, etc.
How do You Determine a Vessel Position?
Determining a vessel’s position should be relative to your actual station or
location.

If you are on land (not necessarily in the vessel), then you may use the
following techniques:

Use your smartphone together with the Automatic Identification System App.

However, you have to know the ship’s AIS and confirm that it is indeed
broadcasting.

Use GPS automatic positioning.

Besides, you can use celestial navigation positioning.

Incase you are onshore, then you can utilize the following:

Working out the bearings of various identifiable locations, then your position
becomes where the bearing line crosses.

Alternatively, you may use GPS positioning.

How Many Containers Does a Ship Hold?

The number of containers entirely depends on the ship’s size and capacity.

The capacity of container ships is measured in Twenty Equivalent Units

(TEUs).

Some have low TEUs while others have higher quantities specifically, the ships
capacity range from about 4000 TEUs to more than 23000 TEUs.

What Material is Used to Make the Bottom

of a Ship?
Welded Bent plates are the primary material for the bottom of the ship.

The shipbuilders always have to be keen to reinforce the plates while also
stiffening them as necessary.

The plates are integral for two reasons; firstly, they keep the ship bottom strong
to withstand the load’s heavyweight.

Secondly, the plates enable the hull to endure outward hydrostatic pressure
that acts upon it.

What is the Difference Between a Stiff Ship

and a Tender Ship?
A stiff ship is steady in the waters due to its low lying center of gravity to the
bottom (keel).

The center of gravity’s position is low lying because of the ship’s considerable
metacentric height (GM).

Consequently, a stiff ship would quickly snap back and roll rapidly when hit by
waves, which means that they are so prone to the waves’ effects.

And that would be uncomfortable to those on board.

Elsewhere, a tender ship effectively endures the waves’ effects by rolling further
on and back slowly.

Therefore, tender ships are way much comfortable for passengers.

This kind of ship has its center of gravity relatively higher from the bottom,i.e, a
low GM.

As a result, they are less stable.

 Stability: Stiff vs tender ships

What are the Advantages of a Stiff ship and a

Tender Ship?
A stiff ship is more stable in the waters, whereas a tender ship is more
comfortable to passengers on board.

As you can see, both vessel and ship play an integral role in modern water
transport.

At BanSar, we help you ship all your goods easily via sea freight.

We will handle everything for you – from booking spaces in ship, customs
clearance to warehousing.

Contact us today for all your freight forwarding services from China.

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