“How much does a cargo ship weigh?” has three different correct answers depending on which measurement you use. Displacement, deadweight tonnage, and lightship weight each describe a separate aspect of a ship’s mass, and confusing them produces wrong figures. A laden Capesize bulk carrier and the same vessel in ballast differ by roughly 170,000 tonnes.…
The production of automobiles has become an increasingly worldwide business, which has led to a growth in the demand for international shipping of vehicles. RO-RO ships are ideal for this kind of operation as they are designed and optimized to transport auto, rolling equipment, and breakbulk cargo. Ro-Ro is the acronym for the expression “Roll-on,…
Ships are among the oldest means of transport in the world. Although they are associated with transporting goods, modern ships are equipped to offer passengers and the crew a memorable travel experience. Most of the ships today are about 1000 feet long and carry close to 6000 passengers on average. Do we have ships bigger…
The backbone of Global trade is the need to transport goods safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively by avoiding delays in ports and optimizing the combination of the different modes of transportation. Because containerization satisfied these needs it has now become the major means for transporting goods and materials around the world. Containerization is a system that…
Shipboard cargo damage can occur for several reasons. These include accidents caused by moisture, flooding, or rainwater. Moisture damage, however, is one of the most prevalent causes of cargo damage and a major source of cargo claims, for a variety of reasons. On ships, moisture that causes cargo damage is referred to as “sweat.” Sweat…
Ships carry a wide array of goods ranging from foodstuff, machinery, vehicles, oil, gas, and dry goods. At the port, the goods are unloaded from one vessel to the warehouse or from one warehouse to another that is ready for transportation to the next destinations or put in warehouses as they await repackaging, customs clearance,…
There are lots of different types of boats out there, but keeping track of all of them is a pretty daunting task. If you have heard the term ‘lift boat’ before but you aren’t sure what it means or what a lift boat is, then keep on reading. We are going to take a look…
When it comes to transporting goods, containers are a vital part of the process. But just how secure are they while in transit on ships at sea? On the open sea, ships face harsh conditions and are subject to extreme forces. If containers are not secured properly, rough weather can quickly become a recipe for…
Moisture damage is one of the leading causes of cargo claims on bulk and break bulk vessels. Whether it comes from the cargo itself, from condensation on the ship’s structure, or from atmospheric humidity entering the hold, moisture affects different cargoes in fundamentally different ways — and the first thing a cargo officer needs to…
A reefer container is an ISO-standard refrigerated shipping unit that maintains a controlled internal temperature throughout a sea voyage, rail transit, or port dwell. This article covers reefer technical specifications, cargo type requirements, USDA and EU phytosanitary compliance, vessel power supply systems, pre-trip inspection procedure, and how temperature excursions translate into cargo claims. It is…